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Weight and size for a 5 year old

6 replies

FebruaryJuly · 22/07/2021 01:47

Hello,

My son turned 5 only a few days ago so is currently 60 months. He has always been on the slim size but over the last few days, we have noticed he seems quite skinny and family members even commented on this when going to the beach. By skinny, we mean that we can see his bones quite defined beneath his skin.

I checked his weight and according to the average for his age (from what I can find) he seems normal but still so is looks particularly skinny at the moment.

He is 115cm tall exactly 5 years old (60 months) and is 19.5kg (3stone 1).

He is a very fussy eater and will only finish off small portions although is always offered larger portions. He will often turn down "proper food" and I find it difficult to get him to eat "proper food" (not just biscuits and treats). This is upsetting as when he was younger he would eat a very varied diet and I was very strong willed about ensuring his diet was varied in the right way, over night he changed and refuses a lot of things.

His diet now consists of mainly pasta dishes (bolognese/tuna pasta/cheesy pasta etc.). Fruit wise, he will now only eat apples or bananas. He won't touch vegetables now (I can't even offer him soups anymore over the last 2 years). He loves his cereal and jam sandwiches. He does enjoy treats such a sweets, chocolate, biscuits but I do try to limit these.

His diet has become very basic as it's the only things he will accept, although I do offer other things, they just get refused.

Back to my concern, I am worried about his weight and if he is too skinny. He is thriving and very energetic in himself which is good but I can't force him to eat anymore than he does unless I allow him to eat rubbish snacks all day which I don't want to do.

OP posts:
FebruaryJuly · 22/07/2021 01:57

This is based on his age and height on BHS website which makes me feel better, but still doesn't help with the fact other people are commenting on how skinny he looks when he is in his swimming shorts and the beach and how we ourselves have looked at him and thought he looks particularly bony over the last few days...

When I was younger, myself and my siblings were over weight/obese children, so always very chubby. I don't know if this gives me an unrealistic perspective as to what my own children should look like. This is what I thought until other people commented on how he looks, then making me really worried!

Weight and size for a 5 year old
OP posts:
FebruaryJuly · 22/07/2021 01:58

NHS*

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 22/07/2021 10:44

If you plot his height and weight in your red book, what does it say? I've just had a look on the WHO Growth Charts and he seems to be around the 75th Centile for both weight and height?

And you should be able to see his bones! Smile

FebruaryJuly · 22/07/2021 11:51

@BunnyRuddington I tried looking in his red book but it only goes up to 4 years from what I can find! Maybe I haven't looked properly!

He was always along 75th as a baby and toddler so that would sound right xx

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 22/07/2021 12:13

My DF had the same concerns with her DD. When she saw a Paediatrician over a different issue he laughed, said children should be skinny and it's he ones where you can't see their ribs that have a weight problem, not her.

If anyone says anything again, just keep saying things like "he's healthy as he is" or just ignore.

Lookingforadvice123 · 22/07/2021 12:35

He sounds absolutely fine weight wise OP. My DS is 5 and a half and about 120cm, 3 stone 7. He’s not skinny by any means, although I would say he’s slim/lean.

I understand the frustration with the diet though, my DS goes through fussy phases.

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