to think this BMI calculator is bollocks?

[onemiddlefinger]

I'm not particularly concerned with my DS's weight but just after reading another thread I went and checked the NHS BMI calculator and apparently he is VERY OVERWEIGHT!!!

He certainly is big but he is also very tall for his age (2yrs 3 mnts), when recently seeing a pediatrician (for another reason) I did ask if there is anything we should be worried about regarding his size (way over the 99th percentile in weight and height for his age) and she assured that he was in proportion and he was fine. So how do these BMI calculators work?
I find this result to be a bit shocking and complete bollocks at the same time.

Bmi is pretty bollocks. Doesn't take into account abnormal situations, ie bodybuilders with high muscle percentage would be considered obese. If your son is above average height aswell as weight then I would not see a problem

Yabu simply because bmi calculators TAKE HEIGHT into account. Unless you were using a bmi calculator designed for adults?

height and age is often taken into account for bmi calculators. I'm afraid that denial is one of the biggest factors in child hood obesity.

the fact your,son is on the 99th percentile shows he,isn't just slightly overweight either.

unless,of,course your child is a body builder. BMI charts don't take muscle into account, but you have to have ALOT of muscle for that to make a difference.

Total crap. My dsis is skinny despite eating like a trooper and she's considered underweight but she's healthy.

If his height and weight are similar centile then he is in proportion.

A lot of BMI charts don't take height into account when calculating children's BMI so they are quite useless. Did you use a calculator that included height as well as age and weight?

It is just a gauge so you can use it as a marker and check your dc for all other factors and make an informed decision. It shouldn't be used on its own just as a way of measuring that can be used in conjuction with other info. Look at your dcs red book and check weight gain on the chart.

They aren'r completely bollocks, but should be used as a general indicator, rather than an absolute truth.

a BMI calculator takes height into account, as well as age. It can be off if you are very muscly, but it's never too far off the mark. Just use your own judgement.

IT's funny that people who are overweight/obese blame the calculator and how it must be wrong.
BMI calculates based on weight and height. Tell us how tall he is and how much he weighs, it'll be easy to see.

Should your DS be very tall? Ie, are you and his dad both tall?

If he is on a curve very different to what you would calculate from his parents heights, then he is at risk for being tall due to being overfed, which is a well known issue, and can strongly predict not just childhood, but adult obesity

In this case I would take comfort in the fact that his doctor doesn't think his weight is an issue. If she did then she would have said something to you.

BMI is a good general guide except in specific circumstances (eg very muscular people).

However in order to have an accurate guide to whether your child's BMI is healthy you need to use a BMI calculator for children that takes into account their age as well as their weight and height.

They're not bollocks they're a guide and if you have any real concern then obviously seek professional advice. Remember BMI calculators don't take other factors into account such as lifestyle and diet. I've always been in the healthy range but my diet isn't great and I should exercise more

Children who are overfed tend to be off the charts tall as well as off the charts heavy.

2.3 is very young so you have plenty of time to reconsider his eating and activity levels.

You'd think so, but denial is a powerful thing. You see them in the paper "how dare school say my child is fat!" [sad face] and the picture is of a clearly overweight child!

I had a recent panic doing a bmi calculation on my son to see he was on the 0th -1st centile, tracked him in his red book with the HV who was happy (75th for height under 9th for weight)

Doesn't take into account abnormal situations, ie bodybuilders with high muscle percentage would be considered obese.

Here we go....

Overweight children tend to be tall. It's how over-nutrition in children works.

Unfortunately in girls (don't know about boys), being overweight can also trigger early puberty which can mean that they don't end up reaching their full potential height in adulthood.

So no, height/weight proportion is not always an indicator that their weight is fine.

Why is the "y" at the end of my NN been cut off in my last post? Weird...

Children who are overfed tend to be off the charts tall ...

Really? Really?? how does that work then?

I did use the one for kids which takes height as well as weight into account, this is why I found it shocking.
His dad is very tall and I am quite tall as well. He apparently does eat well at the nursery, but at home he can actually be quite picky.
I really don't think I'm in denial.
Denial would be if the doctor has told me he is overweight and I still don't believe it.

It works just how you'd think it would work .

Malnutrition stunts growth, overnutrition promotes growth...

I don't understand either how overweight children can be very tall??