Should you be able to see this much of a child’s ribs?

[Smellbellina]

I know apparently you should be able to see a child’s ribs if they are not overweight, but is seeing the ribs from the front from collar bone down really ok? Am I being unreasonable to think it looks underweight as opposed to healthy?

Are they a healthy weight, well and have plenty of energy?
If so, they're fine.

Youre probably just so used to seeing fat children. Whats the deal with seeing a collar bone?! Surely thats normal?! My collar bone had never nee under a later if fat!

So, op. Who is the child?

My son was like this for years - he was small when he was born and has always been thin. He was always really healthy - that's what you have to go on. Does he eat well? Does he have a lot of energy? Is his skin good?

My energetic, healthy eight year old, when shirtless, is a mass of ribs from the collarbone down.

My brother, and many other boys come to think of it, were like bone displays until about 15.

It’s not the collar bone it’s each rib clearly visible below it, even the upper ones when facing you, you can see them due to T-shirt’s being lose fitting (due to being skinny I suppose!) Is that what they mean by your should be able to see their ribs’? I thought they meant the lower ones.

Yeah, my DS was a skinny minny. Worried me for a while. They tend to get skinny especially during a growth spurt.
Hulking brute now!
As long as DC has an appetite, isn’t denied food, eats healthily then there is no need to worry.

Sorry girl not boy, although I wouldn’t have thought that would make a difference under 10

Yes you can see each of my ds ribs, perfectly healthy.

My DD (5) is very skinny. You can see ribs but not massively prominent, like she was starving or anything.

When she was weighed at the start of reception she was slap bang in the middle of the healthy weight section so she isn't underweight.

I think a PP is right and heavier is the norm nowadays. I have been told DD needs "feeding up" why? She eats 3 good meals a day plus snacks, is fit and well and is a healthy weight.

Some people are naturally that way. My younger two children are very skinny people. Even now as teens they are both all arms and legs and bones. (One boy one girl). They eat more than the two older children who aren’t at all over weight but my older daughter is very curvy with big boobs and bum and my older son is stocky and broad.

You didn’t say who the child is and whether there are other reasons to be concerned.

But subject to that, I agree with all of the above - children are meant to be skinny and it’s quite normal for a child to have very little body fat.

You can see all of my dds ribs and collar bone. I can assure you she eats like a horse

If you're concerned, use the NHS children's healthy weight calculator. www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/

People on MN can't tell you whether your child is underweight or not.

Our GP told me, when I expressed concern that our son was underweight some years ago, that we are all so used to seeing overweight children that we have lost our objectivity, that we should be able to see a child’s ribs and collar bones.

Yes you should be able to see them all. So many children are overweight now that the 'normal' children look skinny.

My nephews were SO skinny growing up. They were like little walking skeletons. They're huge strapping lads now. Healthy as anything.

Sorry, my DC, sisters wise one is also very slim but in a fit looking way, other is probably a bit plump but looks slim, DS is a toddler and looks normal. DD I am concerned about is strong (she can climb up to the ceiling in a corridor using two walls) was the heaviest DD I had but then was referred for ‘failure to thrive’ as a baby and seen until she was over 1.
She seems to be losing weight in lockdown, I do feed them but I don’t think she likes my cooking. I was shocked when I saw her ribs through the gapping neck of her nightie tonight and I am a bit worried about it.

Sounds perfectly normal OP; if your DD is eating enough and has a decent amount of energy I wouldn't worry. I was very skinny as a child, rib cage and every bone showing, and Ive been a healthy weight ever since.

Like a PP has said, with there being so many overweight children and adults nowadays our objectivity has been lost somewhat, so a healthy, normal skinny child now seems a cause for concern in comparison.

If you're really concerned speak to your GP, but if she's eating and seems happy then she should be fine.

She’s eating in that she had a bowl of cereals and a pancake with chocolate spread today

I can see the bones in my child’s spine through a jumper. She’s a healthy bmi and the dr told me it’s how people used to be in the 1950’s. Hard not to worry but it seems ok.

If she's healthy don't worry. Used to be able to see my bones through a thin jumper too (not now :-( ).

I wonder how much it depends on build- DS has been 92 centile for height and 50 for weight and you still couldn't see his ribs all that much.

He's now heavier and you can see them more .

How old is DD? Does she eat that way usually?