DD's weight - should I be worried?

[Iamshy]

My 11 year old dd was weighed today at school for the county healthy eating schools survey. She is 4 foot 10 inches tall and weighs 4 stone 10 pounds, is this right for her or is she underweight. Please help a worrying mother!

TIA

Did the school say anything? My DD is 9yrs old and she weighs 5st 3lb and is 4ft 3" tall. She is quite a slim child although perfectly healthy and eats very well.

Does your dd eat well? I think I'd be more worried if she were overweight as opposed to underweight.

She eats extremely well and has an adult sized meal everyday plus all the extras that she has, for me though the fact that she is the same weight as her height is worrying and am seriously thinking that she is underweight. School has said nothing as yet to me, but then again I have just got home from work.

All kids are different. At her age her body is going through so many changes - pre puberty/hormones etc. Are you and your dd's Dad tall and thin?

I'm not tall, but am thin, her dad is 6 foot 7 inches tall, would this make much of a difference, its just that she's even making comments that her friends are heavier than her but they are smaller than her.

Thanks by the way whishpywhisp for the reassurance.

I've googled for a childrens BMI calculator and it does say that she is under weight

results here

has she always been slender?

Are you all slender?

Oh no, right, thought it would be the case, but I don't have scales in the house and this is first time she has been weighed in god knows how long. Right girls I need your help, how do I feed my child up but keep her diet relatively healthy. All suggestions will be gratefully received, also pack lunch box ideas, but no crisps or peanut butter to be included.

How would she be with things like Humous and taramasolata? with carrot sticks. They are quite high in fat (and so calories, but are not too sugery) Cheese with date and apples.

Faheta wraps with chicken with some added mayo, and salad?

Avacado on salads (more healthy fats)

Cheese straws

(can you tell I'm a lardy arse myself )

If she is eating decent meals (and I would say an adult sized one is more than adequate), then it may just be the wau she is. If she was not eating much and you had to coax food into her then I would worry but she may just have a fast metabolic rate.

I ate like a horse at that age but did heaps of sport and weighed just over 4stone at 11, unfortunately the metabolism does not last into adulthood !

Ok, here is what she has had for tea tonight:

6 potatoes, 1 medium lamb chop, cauliflower cheese and sweetcorn.

Do you think that was enough, I'm turning into a paranoid mum!

That's loads! More than my 14yo eats! You're doing fine - she's just little!

With a Dad who is 6ft 7" tall I'd say that pretty much explains why she is quite tall and slim for her age.

Like I've said before you really shouldn't worry - all kids are different. She is of an age where her body is going through some major changes. I wouldn't necessarily 'fatten' her up - she doesn't need it - by the looks of it she eats an exceptionally good diet full of goodness, vitamins, minerals etc etc.

I was a very thin child up until I started my periods - aged 13 - then I filled out a lot more - you may find that once she starts going through puberty she will naturally put on some extra weight. I was so thin my Mum worried about me too.

I'm not knocking the BMI result but I think in your case you've nothing to worry about. If she's healthy, eats well and is happy then good for you and her. xx

dear Iamshy
I understand where you are comig frm - my ds is the same - ( he is just weighing and measuring himself so we can do bmi)

on the beach this summer i was embarrassed of him yet he eats like a horse - well - no word of a lie like an adult!

he looks skeletal but everyone just says it is just natural as his dad and i are tall and on the slim ish side...

i would not worry as long as she seems healthy

my sons bmi

I remember being that weight (possibly less) at about that height when I was 14 (I am vertically challenged)

don't worry she will probably always be slender it's just her build and it may all change when she goes through puberty anyway. I did at some point solidify a bit but as an adult at one point I was 6.5 stones at 5' and still conceived despite using contraceptives.......so I am obviously meant to be on the slim/light side IYSWIM

Thank you girls, I knew I could turn to you for reassurance. I've never really worried about my kids weight as I know they all eat well, I suppose that seeing that BMI calculator was worrying but I have faith that she will start putting on weight soon. She gets bullied more about her weight than the overweight child in her class, which is a blessing as far as the overweight child is concerned but is worrying as far as my dd is concerned. There is far too much talk about weight nowadays.

TBH I'd take no notice of the BMI - you have a child that is healthy and eats well. If you had a child who was classed as 'underweight' and refused to eat and was always poorly then you'd have every reason to be concerned.

Looking at what she had for tea this evening - lamp chop, spuds, veg - look at the goodness in that meal as compared to a KFC, burger or pizza!!!

Well done you for bringing your kids up to eat well and enjoy their food.

xx

No point in making it an issue for her if she is eating enough and has plenty of energy. Just do what you are doing and keep on reminding her that she is perfect just how she is no matter how little or big!
I was always 'underweight' and very short but it didn't cause any real problems and I've always liked my food. My husband is the same, but tall, and so imagine the genetics my kiddies have got - they are whippetlike but eat very impressive amounts!
So yeah, focus on nutrition and health rather than being the correct height and weight. It would be very boring if everyone was the same!