grandchild who suffered an aneurism at 6 and is obese

I very much doubt that..

At 17 the girl herself is going to have to seek advice on this. As the stepmother is also obese herself she is probably a big part of the problem.

How easy would it be for you to offer support depends on how close your relationship is. If you can talk to her without causing offence it might help.

It is possible that the aneurysm has affected her hunger centre. We used to have patients who had suffered a brain injury and who were unable to satisfy their appetites and would just eat and eat. Dealing with this was very hard indeed as they always felt hungry.

Can you feed her healthy meals at your house ( to set good example and show how tasty they can be) and can you encourage exercise in any way?

Does she want help?

I have done a lot of research into brain injury affecting obesity and there is a according to very well respected opinion a link but no pathways as to how to get help. I am trying to find where to get her the help she needsbut I have not found any organisation so far. She certainly wants help, she has done self harming and had some bad times which we have got her through but it is finding the right source.

Children who've had brain tumours sometimes have difficulty controlling their eating too. As Luckygirl says there may be other factors at play, but whatever the cause an unhealthy diet at home won't be helping. Good luck with finding the right support fir this young woman

How sad, poor child.(sad)

It is worth contacting Headway which is the national support organisation for those with a brain injury. www.headway.org.uk/

There is likely to be a branch near you.

Those patients with obsessive hunger were treated by our neuropsychologist based with the brain injury unit where I worked - this was run by NHS and there could be one hear you.