Underweight 5 year old boy

[TheProvincialLady]

We got the letter today that gave the results of DS1 being weighed and measured at school. I was expecting to be told he was slim for his age and height, but a bit shocked to find out that his BMI is 1st centile and he is underweight. He is just above average for height.

In my opinion he eats very well but he is very slow to put on weight. His 3 year old brother weighs just 2lbs less than him. His father is very tall and slim and I am still quite slim (7st and 5'2) in my late 30s - both our parents got a lot of grief when we were children, because we were so thin.

I think it is probably genetic, but should I be worried? The letter just tells us DS1 is underweight, but doesn't say whether we should be concerned, or what we should do about it. Has anyone else been in this situation?

If he's eating well and is energetic, then you've nothing to worry about.

I don't have any good advice, but am interested in the responses you get. My 5 year old is also very tall and thin, and it often crosses my mind that I should check his weight is nothing to worry about. He has not been weighed at school though, and I'm not sure what percentile he is on.

He's certainly energetic!

And there is the answer as to why he's slow to gain weight, he burns it off. I wouldn't worry at all. :)

Thanks, I do feel reassured

My ds was the same at 5 - you couldnt plot him on the growth charts he weighed so little. Had the letter about being underweight. We went to the dr and he ended up having loads of tests - blood, urine etc - very distressing and all came back clear. He is now 11 and has had the year 6 checks - and the other day got a letter saying he was still under weight ( under 2nd centile). My ds doesnt like eating - it takes hima while to eat a dinner - but he does eat - he also does taekwondo twice a week, swims and plays basketball every week. He is active and burns off what he eats quickly. If he eats and is active dont worry. I have spent much of the last 11 years fretting about him - food diaries, drs appointments etc - and guess what - he is a perfectly happy, healthy, ACTIVE child xx