World's Fattest Kids

Obesity rates in children continue to climb but just what is it like to be an obese teenager in the USA today? At an age when body image means so much, how do you cope when you weigh over 20 stone?

Following a selection of teenagers from very different backgrounds, World’s Fattest Kids asks what it is about the modern world that makes them so fat and also looks into the different lengths that they will go to to lose weight and get the help they so desperately need.

With exclusive access the world’s only high school for obese children, The Academy of the Sierras in California, World’s Fattest Kids meets 16 year-old Dexter who weighs over 24 ½ stone and 13 year-old Garrett, the youngest member at the school, as they follow a strict programme of education, exercise, diet and psychological help to reduce their weight – without surgery.

It is an emotional and torturous journey for both of them as they desperately need to lose weight and fast.

Unlike Dexter and Garrett, Corina comes from a poor background and her diet is burgers, ice-cream, chips and sodas. She can’t seem to keep down anything healthy – a fresh tomato makes her throw up. She’s from a different world. At 13 years old she weighs 22 ½ stone and devastated by her weight, has opted for liposuction surgery after years of failed diets.

We follow her emotional journey, knock back after knock back, as she tries to get healthy enough to withstand an operation. Inspired by her friend Brooke, who was the youngest person ever to have liposuction fat removal surgery, Corina hopes to be the second youngest person.

We also meet 12 year old barbie look-a-like Brooke, whose life has turned around and she became the most popular girl in the class.

Related links:
- See the World's Fattest Kids image gallery
- Read the World's Heaviest Man episode guide
- Watch My Shocking Story video clips

Further information:
- Academy of the Sierras is the school that the programme contributors attended

- NEXT: MY BIG FOOT