Advise regarding childs weight please

Crazychik

Hi

I have a DS who is 11yrs & 3months old, and just slightly under 5ft height and weighs bang on 5 stone.

I have a DD who is 7yrs & 6months old, 4 and a half ft height and weighs 4 and a half stone.

Recently our school has been investigating weight issues, but mainly advise for the over weight and how to eat healthy & exercise regular. I've not got involved, as I think this an invasion of privacy! And may cause issue's which isn't there -

However, after thinking about this slightly. Im concerned that DS is under weight for his age and height. Considering how close my daughter is catching him up. Ive only just got a pair of bathroom scales in order to do the weight etc. So thats why Ive not picked up on it before.

He eats food like its going out of fashion. He has a substantial breakfast, which includes weet-a-bix & crumpets, snack at break time, a mega pack lunch, healthy snack after school, home made cooked meal, pudding, and cereals before bed.
He drinks lots of water and eats plenty of fruit. He is very energetic. And yes - we are a family who eats 5 a day (if not more), and occasionaly sweet treats.

I will also say that when I was 16, I was leading a very hectic/busy life style, and I only weighed 6stone at that. Despite getting help from the doctors, I could not put the weight on (I wanted to join the army back then, but couldn't due to the weight) It took me nearly 2yrs to put on nearly a stone. Eventually I did it!

Anyway, my ?'s are
Can weight be genetic?
Due to son's age/height/weight - should I have reasons to be concerned?
What should be the average weight for a child of his age?

DS is happy with the way he is, so Ive not spoken to him about the weight thing incase it starts a reason to "be concerned" about! IYSWIM!

Im sorry its long winded, and I hope you can understand what Im trying to say, as Ive been interrupted during my typing!

Regards
Emma

tigtag02

Hiya

I have a DD of 14 - about 4' 10" and 5.5st - small, slim, NOT underweight.

I also have a DD of 4 - 3' 9" and about 2dt 6lbs - tall. slim, NOT underweight.

As long as your kiddo's are healthy and eating a well balanced diet/getting good excercise then I wouldn't worry too much :)

tigtag

Hapless_2

Get them checked by the Dr if you are worried at all, for reassurance if nothing else

bumpybecky

Crazychik wrote: »

Anyway, my ?'s are
Can weight be genetic?
Due to son's age/height/weight - should I have reasons to be concerned?
What should be the average weight for a child of his age?

answers - in brief!

1. yes
2. no
3. who wants to be average anyway?

if he's eating when hungry, has a good balanced diet, and is otherwise healthy and active, then don't worry

I've got three skinny girls who eat like there's no tomorrow :rolleyes: my eldest is 9 years old, 4'6" and under 3.5 stone. I'm worried about this healthy eating thing making them eat less - they're certainly refusing fatty sugary stuff now - I'd been trying to fatten them up a bit

natalie1974

Hi ,

Print this out and plot him on this , but I think personally doing very quick calculations he is in proportion .

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/growthcharts/boystwoyears.gif

natalie1974

Plotting his height he is between the 75th and 91st centile and plotting his weight he is plotting on the 25th centile . So long as they are within 2 blocks they are ok . http://www.healthforallchildren.co.uk/?SHOP=HFAC4&DO=USERPAGE&PAGE=PLOTCHART

fill in the gaps and it plots it for you

Crazychik

Awww bless you, you've all been brilliant, and now I dont feel so alone, thinking he's the only one!
Allthough I do agree to eat healthy, it doesn't hurt to have the occasional fat/sugary in their diets. After all - I guess it didnt do us any harm back in the days when Lard was used for cooking - lol!

I just wanted re-assurance and I think you've done that for me, however, if and when he needs to see the doctor in the near future, I will enquire just to make sure he doesn't have worms - lol!

comping_cat

Hi Emma,

I wouldnt worry - my DS is 11 in September, and he is bang on 5 stone (just under 5ft as well) and DD who has just turned 9, is the same height as DS, and weighs 2lb less than her brother, they look like twins, which DS is not that pleased about!!!! They are both tall and skinny, and DS especially eats like a horse. I know all the good food they eat (and the odd bad thing!!) and they are hardly ever ill (the last time DS was ill, was because he was tierd, not because he was sick).
So, because of their diets and lifestyles, i dont worry about them being slim - i think they are lucky!!!

Penny-Pincher!!

DD is 13 this year, she is 5 foot 4 and weighs 9 stone. She is not overweight and is a ladies size 8-10.

PP
xx

Idiophreak

Crazychik wrote: »

Ive only just got a pair of bathroom scales in order to do the weight etc. So thats why Ive not picked up on it before.

Don't mean to sound funny, but if he was properly underweight, you'd notice it without the need for scales.

Whether you think he's healthy etc is far more important than any statistics...

skint_spice

My mum dragged me to the doctors as a kid as I was very skinny and she was worried I didn't eat enough but he said as I was at the top end of height charts for my age there was nothing to be concerned about.

My son is also tall and very slim so I think it could be genetic... if only my worries were still about how to gain weight!!!