'World’s Fattest Child' Put On Crash Diet To Save His Life

Arya Permana, from Indonesia, weighs 30 stone and is classified as morbidly obese. He can't walk any more and had to quit school as a result of his weight.

His mother, Rokayah Somantri, who provides round-the-clock care for her son, says he can "eat meals of two adults at one time."

"He is perpetually hungry and has an enormous diet and can actually eat meals of two adults at one time," she said. "He is always tired and complains of shortness of breath. He only eats and sleeps and when he is not done with both, he jumps into the bathtub and stays there for hours.

His mother is now trying to dramatically cut his food intake to help save his life. However, she admits she feels 'helpless'.

"No mother wants to stop feeding her children but I am unfortunate and helpless. I have started putting him on brown rice diet. I am not sure if it helps but this is the only thing I can do to stop him from growing bigger," she said.

Usually, Arya eats five meals a day, consisting of rice, fish, beef and vegetable soup.

His father, Ade, said: "I have insufficient money to buy food to fulfil his large appetite. I borrow money so that he can eat. Of course, I cannot keep him starving."

We hope he can get his diet and his health on track.

Words by Sian Broderick

Featured image credit: Caters