What is the weight/height/build of your 10 year old ?

[JennyFromTheNorthEast]

I'm just interested to see how my son compares to other boys his age, and if there are any issues other people face regarding weight height and build. My DS is 4 foot 9 and weighs 7 stone 4 pounds. Using the nicest terms I can I'd say he is very plump indeed.

So please tell me about your 10 year old and how they compare :)

OP and Minty - no, I'm not in the slightest bit worried about him. He is just a beanpole, like his Dad, who weighs 9st at 5'11. They are both perfectly healthy, eat very well and exercise.

Ds has always been 9th centile for weight and doctors/nurses have often commented that in the past he would have been more like 50th centile. Also, at their age, boys are often still skinnier than girls of the same age. And, yes, you are supposed to be able to count ribs. I can count my ribs and see my collarbone but I'm still a stone overweight (all on my arse!)

Jenny The height/weight charts for children are 40 yrs out of date, but probably still significant as these were children whose eventual outcomes were known. I was born in 1951 and the worry then, post ww2, was being too thin and not, as now, being overweight. I remember as a child that the sugar was rationed. However BMI of 23.2 is just in normal range for an adult (and way below most rugby players) but I agree that at age 10 cannot be assessed by adult charts and suggest that he has significant potential for problems.

But what does he think about it?

My 10yo DS is 5'3 and 6 stones and 7 pounds. His appetite has recently increased significantly so that may change!

dratsea, I understand that the NHS bmi calculator uses the British 1990 (UK90) growth reference charts for children so aren't 40 years out of date. Why do you think they're based on old data?

Jenny, you are obviously concerned as you've posted a few times about both your children and the charts suggest that your concerns are probably right. There is support out there via your GP, school nurse, HV team, etc.

bringme "Why do you think they're based on old data? " I was referring to the height weight charts we had in paediatric opd, blue for boy and pink for girl. I first used them as a student in WCH in 1974, they had just come out and were based on the "latest" Tanner Whitehouse data. They were still in the stationery cupboard in my DGH when I retired. Our paediatric endocrinologist saw me using one and pointed this out, I know he used others, whether UK90 or more recent ones from RCPCH I know not. But my old trust languishes in the bottom category according to CQC so perhaps not surprising that we were provided with out of date charts. When I was a child the shock horror story in the Daily Wail would have been asking why 50% of children in UK are below the average weight for their age. The big story today is the 50% that are above the average weight for their age. But although it is possible to measure an average what is "normal" ? We know the long term outcome of children born after WW2, say from 1950, in England and Wales and conclusions can be attempted on childhood weight plotted on the old charts. To extrapolate to children born today is fraught with difficulty and there is huge pressure put on children and, worse, parents. Hence my question to op.

I am guessing you have a professional interest so would add that in NZ the malnutrition problem is far, far worse than in the UK, there are children arriving in school whose last "meal" was the free sandwich kindly provided the previous day for school lunch by volunteers/teachers and sat next to a child three times the weight and grossly obese. As a further aside I am looking forward to the rugby tomorrow and if you see any of the match then may I challenge you to write to Richie McCaw and point out that he is clinically obese (106Kg 1.88m BMI = 30) and poor Ma'a Nonu is in real trouble, same weight but only 1.82m so BMI of 32!

My DS, who is exactly 10 years Old is 4ft 11 and 5st 5lb. So a tiny bit taller but two stone lighter in comparison. He has quite a sporty looking figure broad in the shoulders and chest, slim waist. The swimming teacher had a term for it but goodness know what it was. He still has a softness to his face. In terms of clothing I need to get him 11-12 for height but the waist often needs adjusting to make it a slimmer fit.
He eats larger portions than I have, but smaller than DH. The food we eat is well balanced with plenty of salad and veg. Treats are once or twice a week. I think with him it is partly genetic, in that his father is tall and slim, but also he is quite active. The school walk is a long one (3 miles) which we do if it isn't raining.
I think you are right not to make an issue out of it, children this age can be sensitive. It might be partly due to his natural body type but maybe encouraging a few lifestyle changes might help him to grow into his weight. I don't know what your diet or activities are like as a family so it is hard to say really.

Dratsea, your post suggested that height/weight charts are generally based on old data which isn't true. I'm a bit bemused as to why you used old charts when you knew there were more appropriate ones. Professional autonomy and responsibility?

I doubt that OPs children are professional rugby players. As you know BMI/centiles are a starting point and there will be healthy outliers. That is why it's important that she gets real life support with the data that suggests that her child is at risk of health problems.

wow, DD is 14yo 5'3", and struggling to creep to 7 stone. She's not underweight looking at all.

bringme "That is why it's important that she gets real life support with the data that suggests that her child is at risk of health problems." OK, I have retired and cannot comment further.

bringmelaughter - My DS once referred to a rugby ball as a 'squashed football' Confirming your doubt that my kids are professional rugby players

Brilliant, of course it's the other way round... footballs are just odd shaped rugby balls

With boys its tricky I think they are entering a phase of huge growth. A friend of mine used to have huge rows with her short & small slim hubby (she struggled with weight) abut her son who was chubby (not overtly fat no big belly but a good layer of fat on him and around 5ft just over. But he would plump up then grow, she could see this but hubby couldn't - how the child didn't end up with an eating disorder I will never know. At 12 he looked chunky and her hubby would lay into him about being lazy and fat and get more exercise eat more fruit and veg and less crap blah. at 15 he is now 6ft 2 and much broader in the shoulder and carries it all well, he is clearly not mature yet and still his face fills out a little then he grows AGAIN. He is going to be 6 4 or 5 I reckon, but he has taken an emotional battering in the process, his dad is a good foot shorter and shouts less for obvious reasons!!! I would say keep food healthy but plentiful, if he is full of good stuff they won't overly seek out the stuff they shouldn't binge on, let them binge occasionally, encourage lots of activity and keep communication open. Most schools now have open gyms and lots of sports clubs afterwards encourage participation. Please don't make his life a misery over it.

Ds3 (9.4) is 4ft 5in and 4st 10lbs. He has sturdy legs like me and is definitely not thin but I can see his ribs and collar bone.

Ds is almost 9. He's 4ft 5 and 5 stone exactly.