If you could clearly see a child's ribs

[SkyWalker95]

Bit of a strange question but if you saw a preschool age child running around the park/beach and you could very clearly see their rib cage and some other clearly defined bones, what would you do/say/think. Or would you not even think about it/care?

You're meant to be able to see a child's ribs.

Why what did you think?

Seeing ribs is normal..

entirely normal

Nothing its normal

Seeing ribs is completely normal in children so no, I wouldn't comment on it.

Normal/healthy.

You can see all my DS's ribs....he's 5.
You are supposed to be able to see their ribs at that age!

Its healthy to see their ribs. As a pp said, it's so unusual to see a healthy weight child our perceptions are skewed.

Not much if they appeared happy and having fun.
That said, don't lots of preschoolers still have the toddler sticky out tummy and some chub?
I often think MN is a bit weird about weight and appearance.

If they are running around in a park they must be healthy.

You are meant to see ribs.
I would think that it's a child that is healthy, esp if they are running around.

Why?

I'd think thank god at least not one child is overweight.

You will have a bit of tummy on a toddler (2yo) not on a preschooler (3~4yo)

Perfectly normal!

Wtf would you say anything?

I can see my 5.5yo DS' ribs. He eats like a horse and from wake up to bedtime is a Duracell bunny. Nowt wring with ribs.

I'm glad ribs are normal - our son is under size/weight, being monitored by the hospital (he was an extreme preemie) - so I've often wondered whether I'm meant to see his ribs when bathing him!

Seeing a child's ribs is normal but if they looked skeletal then that's a different issue. Unless there are other signs of neglect I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd think good, they're a healthy weight.

Normal. You can see every rib on DS1. Dr told me that's how kids should look at his age!

My sons ribs have always been easily visible, we were told on a regular basis that he was skinny and underfed, yet every time he was weighed and measured he was on the 50th percentile for both height and weight, and still is as an apparently skinny 12 yr old!

From your op it's impossible to make a judgement. People's perceptions of weight can be skewed towards chubby being healthy and visible bones being dangerously thin.

You're supposed to be able to see ribs. Unless they're obviously dangerously thin then seeing ribs is absolutely normal and what you would expect in a child who is a healthy weight. Both my DCs have visible ribs.

If you can't see their ribs they're too fat. Why on earth would you say anything? What would you say?

Nothing. I see Dd's ribs daily.

I'd think what a lovely, normal child and aren't there some strange judgmental people around :)

Supposed to see children's ribs...it's just most kids are enormous now!

Painting ditto!