Arya Permana doesn't weigh like most kids his age. The kid from Indonesia has struggled with obesity and weighed over 420 lbs as of two years ago.
When he was 10-years-old, his size prevented him from going to school, much less leaving his house. With only a sarong to drape him, his daily routine consisted of eating and sleeping.
Things have changed a lot since then.
After a major surgical procedure, Arya lost about 168 lbs and could finally step outside his home.
The boy's mother, Rokayah Somantri, 37, said that the boy was born healthy, but after turning 8 years-old, he gained a significant amount of weight.
In an interview with Barcroft TV, Rokayah said:
In 1st grade, when he was 8 years-old, he got bigger. Then from age 9 and 10 years-old his weight gain was drastic. I wish he was back to normal. Because this makes me so sad.
Arya hadn't been able to wear clothes that fit him.(YouTube: Barcroft TV)
He would eat five times a day and twice as much as an adult, according to The Mirror.
With no medical resources to help their son, Arya's parents put him on a diet consisting mostly of rice, fish curry, beef, vegetable soup and a soy patty known as a Tempeh.
But it wasn't enough to keep off the weight.
Arya's mother, Rokayah Somantri(YouTube: Barcroft TV)
Rokayah told The Mirror:
He was perpetually hungry and had an enormous diet.
He was always tired and complains of shortness of breath.
He only ate and slept. There is no other pain than seeing own child suffering.
No mother wants to stop feeding her children but I had to as I was helpless.
We had no money to see doctors and had exhausted all our savings in feeding him.
After Arya's condition gained worldwide attention, dieticians stepped in to help.
In April, he had undergone bariatric surgery and was able to lose 168 lbs in a period of three weeks, enabling him to experience normal activities like walking to school and playing with other kids, instead of playing with his smartphone.
Thanks to the surgery, Arya can now walk to school.(YouTube: Barcroft TV)
Arya's father, Ade Somantri, said that eating post-surgery was especially difficult.
He cannot eat a lot after the surgery. He can only eat 4 tablespoons of rice and drinks diet milk. If he eats extra, he throws up. 'He is not allowed to eat sugar and carbs. We are very happy that he is energetic and can play football and badminton. He walks and runs for two kilometres a day but he might require another round of surgery this year.'
Still, Rokayah is a happy mother.
We are very happy to see him leading a healthy life. He is very active and in good health. His sleep is sound and there is no more worry of respiratory problems. He can also walk and play without complaining of shortness of breath.
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