There are children who become known to the world not for achievements or talents but because of circumstances so extreme that they spark both concern and amazement. Such was the case with Arya Permana from Indonesia. Just a few years ago, he was officially recognized as the heaviest child in the world. By the age of ten, his weight had reached a staggering 191.9 kilograms. To put it in perspective, he weighed more than many grown men, and his body carried a burden that was unbearable for a child of his age.
Arya’s daily life was far from normal. Simple things like walking from one room to another were exhausting. He could barely move five meters without gasping for breath and collapsing back into bed. While other kids his age ran around playing football or cycling with friends, Arya could only watch from a distance. His condition made it impossible for him to attend school, so he was homeschooled instead. His world was reduced to the walls of his home, and the isolation weighed on him almost as heavily as his own body.
The cause of his obesity was not a mystery. Arya’s diet was filled with instant noodles, fried chicken, sugary drinks, and other calorie-packed foods. These meals gave him short bursts of satisfaction but little nutrition. Combined with little to no physical activity, his body expanded rapidly. Doctors warned that if nothing changed, Arya might not survive into adulthood. His heart, lungs, and joints were under immense strain, and each year his chances of living a long life grew slimmer.
Faced with such a grim outlook, his family and doctors made a difficult but necessary decision. Arya would undergo bariatric surgery, a procedure rarely performed on children. In fact, he became the youngest patient in the world to receive this kind of surgery. The risks were significant, but so was the potential reward — a chance at life.
The surgery was only the beginning. Arya’s new lifestyle required discipline and commitment. His diet was completely transformed: out went the fried, greasy foods and sugary sodas, replaced by grilled fish, fresh vegetables, and fruits. At first, it was difficult for him to adjust. Gone were the flavors he had grown up with, and in their place came meals focused on health rather than indulgence. But Arya was determined. Slowly, he began to see and feel the changes.
The results were nothing short of astonishing. Within a few years, Arya shed over 106 kilograms. By the time he turned thirteen, he weighed just 85.8 kilograms — nearly half his former size. For the first time in his life, he could walk without collapsing. He could even jog in the mornings, an activity that had once seemed like an impossible dream. His transformation gave him back not only his health but also his confidence.
Now Arya is rediscovering the joys of being a teenager. He goes out with friends, laughs without worrying about being ridiculed, and talks excitedly about his future. The boy who once spent his days confined to his house now has a world of opportunities opening up before him. He has become an inspiration, showing millions of people that no matter how difficult the starting point may be, change is possible with determination and support.
Yet his journey isn’t completely over. The dramatic weight loss left behind folds of excess skin that hang heavily on his body. Though he is much healthier now, the loose skin is both uncomfortable and a reminder of the years he spent trapped in his own weight. Arya’s new goal is to undergo reconstructive surgery to remove the excess skin and complete his transformation. It’s the final step in his remarkable journey toward living a full, active, and happy life.
Arya Permana’s story is more than just about losing weight. It’s about courage, hope, and the power of never giving up. From being a boy who could barely walk across his room to running freely in the open air, his life is proof that even the greatest obstacles can be overcome. Today, when people see him smiling and energetic, it’s hard to imagine that he was once the heaviest child in the world. And perhaps that’s the greatest victory of all — not just the weight he lost, but the life he gained.
