Shaun Appleby, who was clinically overweight, died in his bed before his adult life had ever begun, after becoming addicted to junk food and video games.
And now his mother, Satish, has issued a desperate warning to other parents, so that they will not have to go through the same heartache she has.
‘My message is for children to get out more, meet other kids, get more fresh air and get off their computers.’
‘It’s not healthy to be on a computer for hours and hours every day,’ Satish added.
Tragic teen Shaun was diagnosed as clinically obese at just 13 years old, weighing a whopping 16st 2lb as he entered his teens.
‘My message is for children to get out more, meet other kids, get more fresh air and get off their computers.’
Satish explains that following the breakdown of her marriage, Shaun suffered with low self-esteem, and used to cheer himself up with ‘crisps, cola, chips and chicken nuggets.’
As a teen her son also made friends though Xbox Live, but struggled to make pals he could go out with.
‘There are two types of kids these days, those who have six-packs and those who sit at their computers - many of whom hide behind their hair, have no confidence and have low self-esteem,’ his mother added.
Shaun would often play on his computer till 3am, sleep till 12 and then start the whole process again.
The teen died in his room after going to sleep at around 4am.