To think it’s possible for child to be overweight BMI but not unhealthy?

[NameChangedOct24]

My DS is age 8 and falls into 95th centile overweight BMI on child growth charts. To me he doesn’t look overweight, is it possible that he is still healthy despite the chart and I’m not deluded….ill try to upload a pic.

My child has been on the 98th centile for weight and 75th for height pretty much since 3 months old. As far as I've read if, the numbers are not dramatically changing they are how they should be.

The first commenters on this are being ridiculous, he doesn’t look over weight at all. I think BMI can be an indicator but not accurate for all.

Looks absolutely fine to me? I mean when my son was 8, he was definitely skinnier than that but your son by no means looks overweight to me.

BMI can often be a bit off really. It is definitely possible for a child to be overweight but healthy, providing they are eating generally with good portioned sized meals, are active and have good energy, good skin etc. I don't actually agree with the thing about how all kids are meant to be sticks with ribs showing. I know a lot of children are - all my children are slim and my 9 year old is especially skinny but every child is different. Kids grow into their weight.

I'd just make sure he's eating pretty healthily and fairly active. He'll be fine

I don't know why people are lying, his belly is absolutely poking over his swim shorts, I think it's really awful when people deny the obvious because they think they're being kind, it's not, it creates a false narrative that the op can console themselves with.

I assure you I'm not trying to be cruel either, I appreciate honesty and I'm being honest.

Fair enough the boy may have a solid build, everyone is different and hopefully he will have a growth spurt soon like others have said but looking solely from that picture the boys abdomen is bigger than it ideally should be, the op can make changes now to help keep it under control for her DSs sake.... that's the aim here right? A happy HEALTHY young man eventually.

Our eyes are so used to seeing children (and adults!) that are overweight we’ve lost sight of what normal looks like. You should be able to see his ribs.

I agree. This boy has a deep chest. He looks well covered ( ie not bony) but not at all fat. You can see he would be heavy from his frame . But please get the thread taken down op: it’s his body!

No you shouldn't be able to see ribs. Bloody hell

If he is, I wouldn't find the need to do great efforts to make him a healthy weight because more likely than not, it'll happen naturally. You just need to ensure he's eating well and is active. He clearly does not look huge by any means. So to make him a bit more of a healthier weight, that is all you need to do because in a few years, he'll grow a lot more anyway.

At that age yes you should.

I don't think you SHOULD. It's normal for some kids to see ribs and then normal for others to not. Some of my kids were sticks, the others were slim but not ultra skinny. Kids have different appetites and different needs.

No.

we've lost sight of what normal looks like

Bingo! 😀

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12226744

It's very normal to be able to see your prepubescent child's ribs.... I think people are just getting used to seeing overweight children and adults these days.

Did you know that a healthy ten-year old's ribs should be clearly visible? Many parents would consider that such a child was quite underweight.”
Professor Mary Rudolf
Obesity Expert

x post

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Stick out
Prominently visible

Those are signs of too little weight just as not being able to see ribs is a sign of too much weight.

As Birdscratch said, there is a nuance to it and I'd say if you can't tell that then your opinion is unreliable.

Whereas your opinion is fact is it?

He doesn't look overweight to me.

People are being insane. You can’t tell much from that pic but the boy doesn’t look overweight. Belly overhang? God you lot are nasty.

It may well be that your DS is due a growth spurt and his height will soon balance it out. Most children are going to be a little overweight or underweight at some point as they grow. It doesn’t mean you need to tell him or start any kind of health kick. It’s just something to keep an eye on while encouraging exercise and eating fruit and veg as you usually would.

It’s not a big deal now but you’re aware of it, so if it does start to become an issue you’ll be on it straight away. Once they hit senior school and they’re buying their own lunch it’s much harder to help them.

If I could see a child's ribs, I'd worry that he was underweight.

I wouldn’t say he’s overweight at all - in fact, the posters who say he is overweight probably are lardy themselves!!

There are some children in my DC’s school who are definitely overweight (full bellies, chunky arms etc) but I wouldn’t class your son as overweight.