Once nicknamed “the world’s fattest child,” Arya Permana stunned the globe with a transformation story few dared dream possible. From media headlines to the heartfelt testimony of his own mother, Arya’s life was a whirlwind of challenges, heartbreaking realities, and—finally—a breathtaking rebirth. If you need a little faith in what’s possible, stick around: Arya’s story is not just about pounds lost, but about a childhood reclaimed.
An Unimaginable Struggle at Just Ten Years Old
It’s not every day that a ten-year-old’s photo circles the world, but Arya Permana’s did—gaining international attention with a breathtaking number on the scale. At just ten, Arya, a boy from Indonesia, weighed almost 200 kilos. At this size, he was forced to live differently from other children his age, missing out on the carefree running and playing many take for granted.
His mother, Rokayah, shared with the DailyMail a window into life at home: Arya could only take tiny steps or he’d lose his balance. He was perpetually tired, complaining of breathlessness. His daily existence was a repetitive cycle—eating, sleeping, and when he wasn’t doing those, soaking in the bathtub for hours at a time. His condition, far beyond typical chubbiness, was called morbid obesity—a harsh term for a harsh reality.
A Mother’s Desperation—and a Medical Emergency
Rokayah revealed she fed Arya five times a day, and not with portions fit for a child—each meal sized for more than two adults. According to Mirror, Arya would consume as many as 7,000 calories per day. Hunger levels that high? Even his mother, loving as she was, couldn’t always afford to keep up: “Of course, I can’t let him go hungry,” she shared, yet money was tight. Their struggle wasn’t just about nutrition—it was about survival.
As the kilos piled on, doctors sounded a terrifying alarm before Arya could even reach adolescence: his life was in danger. Drastic situations demand drastic solutions. Arya underwent a gastric sleeve surgery, a significant operation to reduce the size of his stomach and—hopefully—his appetite along with it. It wasn’t just medical intervention. It was an emergency brake on a run-away train.
Finding Support and a Second Chance
The journey couldn’t be braved alone. Enter Ade Rai, a bodybuilder, brought in to shepherd Arya on the difficult path ahead. Layer by layer, together they chipped away at the seemingly impossible. Arya’s dreams weren’t extravagant; he wasn’t hoping for gold medals or fame. He simply longed to play with friends in the pool, to kick a soccer ball, to ride a bicycle—simple joys that had once seemed worlds away.
- Change of diet—smaller portions, new routines, endless patience.
- Regular trips to the gym, a site his coach described as a “playground” for Arya, packed with new, fun things to try.
- Exercises under Ade Rai’s guidance, which Arya could even practice at home.
It wasn’t an overnight fix. But as days turned to months and months to years, Arya made the kind of progress that knocks your socks off.
A Lost Childhood Reclaimed
In just three years, Arya shrank from a staggering 200 kilos to 83 kilos. That’s a loss of around 115 kilos—over half his starting weight gone. And with those lost kilos, Arya shed much more: isolation, fatigue, that endless bathtub escape. The transformation was so radical that today, Arya is unrecognizable from his former self.
It wasn’t easy. But with professional care, his mother’s relentless love (and her kitchen skills!), plus Arya’s own courage, the seemingly unthinkable became reality. His story is a testament to how perseverance, medical support, and a strong support system can turn the tide, no matter how wild the storm.
If Arya can do it, no challenge is too great—especially with a little help, a lot of grit, and maybe a really good coach. Go, Arya!
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
