Hey. I'm 16 years of age, 5 foot 10/11, and I look fairly well built. However, I have a real large stomach, and it's building up in size and weight. I weight 13 stone 11, but the majority of it is fat. My parents constantly bully me about it, as they see my flab when I go swimming and stuff, so I've tried to get rid of it. I did a lot of running, but all that did was make me all sweaty. Which is another problem, as I cannot stop sweating, even from just sitting down. Now, from a distance, I do not look overweight at all (not being modest, just what people say), but underneath my clothes, I'm piling on the weight. I've tried to gain arm muscle through lifting and stuff, but nothing's working! This has been going on for about a year now, and I'm nearly 17. I just want to lose the flab, stop sweating, and gain some muscle, but nothing is working. I've tried really hard at excerising and eating better, but nothing will work! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Kyle.

Have you had our thyroid checked? Most doctors forget it can affect men just as much as it can with women. It would explain your non stop sweating and inability to lose weight despite diet and exercise. Or you could have another type of disruption in your endocrine system. Id talk to your parents and make an appointment with your doctor.

I don't want to seem ignorant or stupid, but what's the thyroid? I had some checks on my pituitary gland before because I was having problems with my rate of growth when I was younger, and that all checked out. It's getting kind of depressing to be honest.

Don't worry - most people don't know what it is. It is a butterfly shaped gland in the front of your neck. It regulates body temperature, metabolism, mood and a myriad of other things. It can wreck havoc on your body (I know I've been dealing with it for 16 years!).

To test for it all they do is draw some blood.

I can deal with that I suppose, I'm cool with needles. I just don't want to face my parents about it and ask them to take me to the doctors, because they're like the least supportive parents ever :(. Would the doctors allow me to go with a friend? Or would I have to book an appointment through my parents? If it is my thyroid, what would I have to do? Thanks for the help by the way!

I don't know - my cousin is 17 and she makes doctors appointments for herself all the time. However in the US you do not "own" your medical treatment until your 18. I'm presuming you are in the UK or thereabout as you used stone as opposed to pounds in regards to weight loss.

If the rules are different in the UK then I guess so, maybe even another family member? (I sometimes go with my cousin if she has embarrassing questions to ask the doctor). If you do have a thyroid disorder you will have to take medicine everyday and get your hormone levels checked anywhere from every 3 months to once a year.

I would recommend telling your parents about this as it involved medication et al. I know parents can be unsupportive, as I mentioned are you close to another family member like an aunt or uncle who might be able to intervene with your parents on your behalf?