Is underweight the norm?

[Iwanthertoloveit34]

My son has to be admitted to hospital this week as he had a asthma attack. Unrelated to his asthma he is underweight after the acute phase of his illness had passed not one HCP commented on his very obvious low weight. I can't help thinking that if he had been obviously overweight it would of been mentioned as a contributory factor in his ill health. Surely very low weight is also unhealthy, is this more acceptable? (p s I'm working hard to correct his weight)

I think they're probably just used to seeing ill kids who are often underweight as a result

I would say that overweight/obese is the norm now.

As your DS has been ill then I doubt they would be worried about the weight loss

I work with underweight children, and its rare for it to be recognised as a problem ime. And people do genuinely seem surprised when we point out that it will contribute to poor growth, delay puberty, affect future bone density, increase vulnerability to illness (which is your point, I think), cause poor appetite, tiredness and anxiety. I think the recent stats said 10% of children are underweight - of course nothing like the amount who are overweight, but still a sizeable group and often with significant short term health risks (as opposed to the longer term risks of obesity).

I have asthma and am underweight, they did notice and referred me to a dietician

How low is low? I think as said upthread, it's understandable as your child has been ill - did he drop the weight quickly due to the illness?

Hope he feels better soon, and that you're able to get some weight on him soon too. I think HCP are used to seeing a whole variety of shapes and sizes.

With austerity deepening thanks to universal credit, I think we'll see a rise in very thin kids who simply can't get access to adequate food, as well as all the poverty related obesity from being forced to rely on cheap carbs to fill up.

I remember a consultant telling my skinny Nan with lung problems that he'd like her to put on weight as the increased muscle would help her breathing. I wonder if it's something to do with that. Perhaps google low bmi and asthma?

breathing can be hard work with lung issues/poorly controlled asthma.
it's something the nurses see a lot I suppose.

if dc is very underweight and has breathing issues other illness might have to be considered.