My son gained a large amount of weight (app. 30 lbs) in less than a year mostly due to a medication change. He is not happy at the gain but is a typical teenager so he likes to munch while playing video games and watching television. He also tends to eat late at night because he wakes up several times a night so will often eat while we're all asleep.

I try to keep a lot of healthier snacks like fruit but he zones right in on whatever is there. Let's face it, granola bars aren't bad but when you eat a whole box?! I hate to just stop having any snacks in the house as it's really not fair to everyone else but I'm rather at a loss on how to help him.

Now, I have his father yelling at me because I "let" him get fat. I'm like, hello? Not sure what else I can do here. I'd appreciate and try any suggestions you folks can come up with.

I guess he has to want to loss some weight too, because no matter how much you try, he is the one doing the eating. I bet you he has a lot of unhealthy stuff outside the home also. Perhaps you need to take him to a professional who will explain the gravity of the situation to him.

How does a medication change do this? I mean I know some do but the way you describe it, he is choosing to over eat. You really might need to work on counselling him on the issue.

Otherwise if he truly won't take control then I see no other option than to remove the temptation. Because they are the only two choices; convince him to control himself, or take away the need.

Try to get him more involved in outdoor activities, even though he will still need to eat, at least it won't be on a continuous basis and he would have already burnt up some calories from playing.

You may also want to consider a personal coach who would spend 3-5 hours with him per day, playing ball or any game that requires him moving and burning calories.He wouldn't need to worry about not being as fast or good as his peers.

I agree that it might help to seek some professional help for him to help with these bad eating habits he has developed. Encourage him to take up a physical activity like swimming, cycling, a martial art, something that he'll enjoy while at the same burning some calories in the process but also developing him in a lot of other ways.

Honestly, maybe everyone in the house needs to make the sacrifice and just keep the junk food out completely. I mean it's not going to hurt anyone, in fact, everyone should start eating healthier because of it.
Cutting out junk food and exercising should do the trick. Maybe he could particiapte in some after school sports with some of his friends.