How do you know if your child is fat or merely thickset?

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ds2 has always at the top of the weight for his age. He is built like a tank. Ive never worried, because he never seemed overweight.

However, he's put on a couple of kilos over the last 4 months, and is now heavier than his brother, 2 years older.

I honestly dont know if he is getting fat or if it is just normal and he is very sturdily built. He is expanding in all directions.
Can anyone think of some giveaway signs that he would be getting too fat?

He eats the same as the other children, but more.

My DS is 3yo and on the 98th centile for his weight and 91st for height - is that too big a deviation do you think? DH and I think he looks a bit podgy at times (esp his belly) but the HV didn't seem to think it needs attention. I have been watching his diet more closely the last week or so and making sure he gets more exercise and he had lost a ound which is good - I am just worried because DH and I are both overweight and have been since childhood and I don't want DS to be the same but I don't want him to have a complex about his weight either - it is hard isn't it!?

I think my dd works out just about the 95th centile for both height and weight

mascara if they are in proportion then that is fine IIRC

Schneebly I feel a bit like you.

dd is approx 3st3 which I think is about 46lbs.. rough guess at height is about 105 cm is that about 2'6?

3 stone 3 = 45 lbs

so is it ok to say "no you can't have a 5th weetabix or you will get fat" or will that give them a complex?

I have no idea at all!

I think you can usually tell just by looking if a child is overweight

can't you.....?

I think I need to adopt a healthier lifestyle myself so that DS can grow up with a good example

Jools - I think sometimes you don't see your own children the way others do IYKWIM? I can look at other kids and think they look a bit podgy or whatever but your judgement is a bit more clouded with your own I think (though not sure why!) It's like most parents think their children are really beautiful when other might not see it that way.

I think they need some concept of the relationship between food and health/weight. And also the importance of exercise.

DS's CM is going to have to walk him to school on the 3 days she has him next term because she will have too many children for the car. He was complaining and saying it will make him "tired, tired, tired". I said "no it won't, it will make you strong, strong, strong". And DH pointed out that he will be better at playing football.

He also knows that it is not good to eat too many cakes/biscuits/sweets etc. And asks what brocolli/milk/blackberries/pasta will do for him and we give him an approximate answer - strong bones, more energy for football - that kind of thing.

I don't know JT.. my child has a rather large tummy and chubby cheeks (unfortunately I was cursed with the cheeks too). I always have to go up a size in clothes but she is short legged and long boddied so tops are never big enough. Her tummy is soft and flabby though it's really solid iykwim

mascaraohara - if your DD is same centile for heoght and weight that is fine I think. DS had the 'cheeks' too! He looks a bit like a chipmunk lol! I was honestly going to start a thread about this today when I came on here and saw this one!

I wish ds1 was well-coverd or chunky or whatever - his ribs stick out of his body

wow - thank you so much for all your thoughts, and for the link Crackle.

Tummy hang - slight, but it looks muscley rather than fatty (if Im not deluding myself)
Double chin - no
Wristbands - no
wobbly thighs - no
reluctant to run - no.

I am going to calculate his BMI from that website, without telling him.

CD -- the formula here is, "No you can't have a third piece of toast/second bowl of frosties/whatever because that's greedy.

Less loaded than 'you will get fat' imo, especially important for girls.

Crackle, thanks the link.
Very interresting. I have a similar chart from a pediatrician in France and the charts are different. To put it simply, you are getting overweight quicker in france than in the UK ...
But that should give a good idea to anyone if their child is getting overweight or not.
Just a comment, if you want to use the chart properly, you need an accurate measure of the height. One centimetre more or less will make a big difference on the BMI.

to get height is it feet to wall, ruler on head to wall?

Dinny, that's exactly how I do it. The BMI website is Canadian hence the imperial measurements. I could never find one for kids in this country and yet child health is so important. Weird.

I found it very easy to cut portion sizes for my eldest a little, push the fruitbowl for snacks and puddings and organise more physical activity with hard evidence. Although he isn't overweight he is a sloth. His natural position is reclined whilst holding a book. God bless him.

Unfortunately for him, whilst I'm in charge of his health, I will do my utmost to instill good habits even though it is like pulling teeth. I just know that he will leave home and revert to a nocturnal pot-noodle eater who never does sport!

My youngest is the complete opposite, slight and wiry. Poor ds1 inhereted my genes.

Crackle, yes, agree they should have a UK version of children's BMI website.

My dd is incredibly active and has a big appetite. But she always asks for fruit or veg in-between meals on the whole as she knows treats are for high days and holidays. Think it is much easier with girls than boys as ds is already much less inclined to eat green stuff.

Reading further down about growth spurts, isn't it so weird seeing them lengthen and lose their toddler shape?

My eldest seems to have lost his toddler shape and morphed into a mini-man overnight. I can wear his shoes.[faints dead away]