3 year old DS - 75th height and 99.6th weight - this okay??

[Tiredoutmum]

Calling experienced mums / health professionals!

My DS was a big baby and always at the very top percentile (which he still is). He is very big framed, wide feet, broad rib cage, large head, and when in clothes he just looks like a big built lad, and older than his age because of this.

But when naked he still looks quite tubby (still more a toddler physique than a child). Most of his peers have slimmed down now and are rather lean, so he looks chubby to me in comparison.

His diet is generally excellent - very few processed foods, lots of fresh fruit and veg. He has always eaten very well and I guess the difference between him and peers is that he always finishes his plate whereas many of them are picky eaters. I don't give him any more chocolate and treats than I see other mums doing - perhaps once or twice a week and when parties etc are going on. So I'm pretty sure I don't over indulge him, and when he is hungry between meals (which he often is), I generally give him nuts, fruit etc.

I'm just confused as to if and where i might have gone wrong and why he doesn't seem to have shed his baby weight like his peers have. I don't know if I should put him on a gentle diet t try and bring him in line with his height percentile ( this would mean him losing 4kg which is a quarter of his bodyweight and seems too much) or if I need not worry at all and if it's just going to sort itself out in a sudden growth spurt.

What about exercise? Do you walk a lot?

It doesn't sound a problem to me. Like you say his diet is good. Maybe just keep more of an eye on the treats. Stick to water for drinks most of the time.

I don't think his weight is that out of proportion with his height that you should worry to be honest.

My DS has always been a higher percentile for height than weight. That is just his build I presume. He doesn't have any noticeable body fat as such, just a chubby little toddler face. The HV weighed him twice to make sure she had got it right because he really doesn't look as heavy as he is. I think he is big boned like his dad- and honestly, I'm not just saying that.

I posted a similar post to yours about my DD last year. I did not understand why she was still so chubby.
Fast forward one year and she is much leaner, and she has gone from asking for food constantly to being super fussy.
The only think we changed is to limit sugary yoghurts and desserts to week-end. But no diets as she was already eating very healthily (no sodas or sweets, or only as a treat, loads of veg etc...).

I wouldn't worry too much, certainly don't try to measure him up against other children- that way lies madness! Check how much exercise he is getting and if y ou are really worried talk to HV or GP. You could try keeping a food diary for a week to see if there is anything you are missing. But please bear in mind t hat all children develop at very different rates.

Thanks replies so far. Yes we do some sort of activity most days - he gets quite lazy with walking depending on what mood he's in, but will scoot for ages and is generally active and watches little tv etc.

I think you should chill in that case

Okay, will practice chilling!!

my dd1 (3.10) is similar. she was the most enormous baby.
her height varies between 91st and 98th centiles, her weight between 75th and 91st.

So at times, usually before a growth spurt, her weight has been around the 98th, and her height around the 75th. But at other times, she is much more in sync. She does have quite a tummy, but with every passing month her shape looks more like that of her peers.

we do encourage walking, as she is naturally more interested in reading and other sedentary stuff, and we watch portions, as she has a very healthy appetite. One thing i do hang onto is that i was very chubby until i went to school at 5, and have had a normal BMI since apart from dd2s babyweight ATM.