Help needed ref. BMI and a childs weight

[snookhams]

I have just had a call from my Youngest DS school, they are doing an exercise within the borough's primary schools at the moment where they are monitoring the childrens height/weight ratio's within year 6, and highlighting any concerns raise due to obesity etc. These measurements etc are just being taken by a support assistant but they rang me with grave concerns as my sons BMI is only 13.5 when asked what this means she could not explain that to me, just that he is 5'4" tall and weighs 5st 10lbs and has a BMI of 13.5 - they are refering him urgently to the school nurse, but had no idea of how long this would take or if I should be worried. I wondered if anyone out there could explain this more to me and if I should be worried.

We are a tall family DH 6'4", me 6', DS (15) 6'5 1/2" and DS (11) 5' 4", DH and I are within the normal weight range for our heights and eldest DS weighs 11st 12lbs. Youngest DS is an incredibly fussy eater, but he is active trains (swims) 4 times a week!! so basically should I be worried!!!

 

[athurstance]

18.5 is the lowest BMI you should have to be 'healthy'. For his height your son should be between 7 stone 9 and 10 stone 5 according to the charts.

I'm not sure how geared these charts actually are to kids though but your son does seem to be quite light. Is he skinny? My 14 year old DS is a skinny one too - he's 5'3'' and 7 stone. He plays a lot of sport - eats like a horse but struggles to put on any weight. He is just so active he burns up all the energy he takes in. Now he is a bit older he is started some muscle building training to build him up a bit and put a bit of weight on him.

He takes after my DH who was stick thin when I met him (5'9'' and barely 9 stone). DH has always been thin until he turned 40 and now he is beginning to spread a bit and the weight goes on more easily.

I would get in touch with the school nurse and talk through any concerns and see what they suggest.

 

[AlanUK]

BMI is really a rough guide and is based on a person of average height and build. If you are tall and skinny or small and stocky then more than likely you will fall outside outside of the accepted norm. Along with this if you are well toned and train regularly then further adjustments need to apply. A lot of professional athletes do not conform to normal BMI readings, and are often under or over depending on the type of training and sport that they do.

In my mind it is quite ridiculous to be testing 11 year olds in this way without any sort of consultation with them or their parents about their lifestyle, or the application of some common sense

 

[higgy66]

I can not believe that the school would contact you like this without knowing how to answer you're questions.

They've now left you very worried and without any information to help you.

As a mother I'm sure you would have concerns if you thought your child was underweight.

Please try not to worry too much and let us know the outcome.

You can't win these days - if he was eating burgers 6 days a week and not exercising you'd have still got a phone call!

 

[wils]

As a mother I'm sure you would have concerns if you thought your child was underweight.

That's my gut feel too - you'd know if there was a problem. Try not to worry and I hope you can get some sensible answers very soon

 

[pixiepower04]

It's ridiculous really.

My DS is 6, my DD is 8 but my DS is about 2 inches taller than my DD and weighs half a stone more. It's not because she doesn't eat but she was just meant to be petite and smaller than her brother.

If you are concerned go to your GP not the school nurse as they've done a bad job of handling this so far but I also think that as your son is into his swimming his coach would have said something already if there was a concern.

Try not to worry, you would know if there was a problem.

 

[motheroftink]

I wouldn't worry, you would know if he was unhealthy. As long as he isn't catching all kinds of colds and viruses, being lethargic etc, then he must be healthy enough.

My DS is 14 and only weighs in at 5 1/2 stone, approx 5ft 1in tall. He just takes after his Dad's side of the family who were all skinny till their 30's and 40's when they have started to put some weight on. I used to worry about him, and was even referred to the hospital where they monitored his height and weight for a couple of years. In the end they just said that he was perfectly in proportion, if on the small/light side, that he was gradually growing and as long as he was healthy I shouldn't worry, so I don't.

(BTW, his sister who is 19 months younger, is a couple of inches taller and a good 3 stone heavier - but she seems to have inherited my genes and likes her food a bit too much........just like mum!!! )


It was ridiculous of the school to worry you though, especially when they couldn't even explain just exactly why you should be worried!!!!!!!!