Child growth standards by year. Height and weight standards

The percentage of overweight children everywhere is increasing at an alarming rate - on average, one in three teenagers or children is now overweight or obese.

Now many children spend little time on training and outdoor games; they spend more time in front of the TV, playing video games or the computer. And in many working, busy families, parents have less free time to prepare healthy home-cooked meals. From fast food to the computer, fast and in a hurry - this is the reality for many families.

Protecting children from excess weight means establishing a proper diet and exercise routine in the family, as well as healthy rest together. We must include our children in a healthy lifestyle through our own example.

Is your child underweight or overweight?

Because children and adolescents are characterized by rapid growth and development, their BMI can change significantly over a short period of time. Therefore, the usual BMI assessment common in adults is not suitable for them. To accurately and correctly estimate a child's body mass index, scientists studied the weight-to-height ratio of many thousands of children. And when you need to determine whether your child's BMI is normal or deviates from it, comparison tables - "percentage curves" or distribution scales - with averages for children of this age and height will give you the opportunity to understand whether weight adjustments need to be adjusted. This compares your child's body mass index to the average of thousands of other children. This approach takes into account the developmental stages that children go through in certain age groups. For example, if a child has a body mass index higher than 97% of children of the same age, then we can conclude that the child is overweight.
This table contains information on the BMI of adolescents and children of both sexes from 2 to 20 years.

As a result, your child's BMI will fall into one of four categories:

• Lack of weight: BMI below the 5th average (percentage curve);
• Healthy weight: BMI between 5th and 85th average;
• Overweight: BMI in the range between 85 and 95;
• Obesity: BMI falls in the range of 95 or higher.

Table for assessing a child’s weight and height by BMI

However, BMI is not a perfect indicator of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a teenager with developed muscles can have a high BMI without being overweight (muscle is added to body weight, not excess weight). In addition, BMI can be difficult to estimate correctly during puberty, when young people go through rapid growth stages. In any case, it is important to remember that BMI is generally a good indicator, but it is not a direct measurement of the amount of fat in the body.

Bioimpedance analysis allows you to determine the exact percentage of adipose tissue. Using a certain device, a weak, safe electric current is passed through the body, changing its frequency. Different tissues of the body have different resistance to electric current, thus it becomes possible to calculate what proportion of the body is muscle, and what is bone and fat.

If you are concerned that your child may be overweight or underweight, arrange an appointment with your child's healthcare provider to evaluate their diet and physical activity level and suggest positive changes. Your doctor may also recommend preventing certain diseases associated with being underweight or obese.

Norms of weight and height of a child by age

Table of height and weight of a child up to one year

Table of child height and weight by year

Preventing excess weight and obesity

• Don't reward children for good behavior or try to deter them from bad behavior with sweets or treats. Reward or punishment should not include food; there are many other effective and correct ways of education.
• Don't support the "clean plate policy". Watch for signs that your baby is hungry. Even babies who turn away from the bottle or breast report that they are full. If children are full, don't force them to continue eating. Remind yourself that we should only eat when we are hungry.
• Don't talk about "bad foods" and don't completely exclude all sweets and favorite treats from the children's menu. Children are likely to rebel and eat large quantities of these unhealthy foods outside the home or when their parents are not looking.

conclusions

• From birth to 1 year: In addition to the well-known many health benefits, breastfeeding can also help prevent excessive weight gain. And although the exact mechanism has not yet been established, breastfed children more clearly sense their hunger and satiety, thus protecting themselves from overeating.
• From 1 year to 5 years: It is better to develop healthy habits from an early age. Help your child establish healthy eating habits by offering a variety of healthy foods. Encourage your child's natural tendency to be active and help him develop.
• From 6 to 12 years: Keep your child physically active every day. Let it be a sports section or outdoor games in the yard. Encourage activity at home - in everyday housework and in joint games and walks on weekends. Teach your child to choose useful and healthy foods, help him pack his own sandwiches for school.
• From 13 to 18 years old: Teens often gravitate toward fast food, but try to encourage them to eat healthier foods. For example, with baked chicken sandwiches, salads and smaller portions. Teach them how to prepare delicious healthy food and treats at home. Help them maintain physical activity every day.
• All ages: Reduce the amount of time your child spends watching TV, computers, and playing video games. Fight your child's habit of eating while looking at the TV or computer monitor. Try to prepare and offer your child a variety of healthy foods. Try to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with your child together. Encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day, limit sugary drinks and never skip breakfast.

But above all, let your children know that you love them no matter their weight, and your main desire is to help them be happy and healthy.

A child's height and weight calculator from birth to 12 years will help determine the height and weight range of a child according to his age.

The calculator has an additional function - forecasting the height and weight of the child. Based on the entered parameters, you can predict height and weight for future years, but for this you need to fill in the corresponding fields with the child’s data as of today.

Please note that the response result is given in two versions:

1. according to centile tables;
2. according to the child’s weight and height.

Example: boy 8 years old - height 141 cm and weight 30 kg.

According to centile tables, the ratio of weight and height to age:

• Child’s height: tall (normal – 122-131 cm)
• Child's weight: overweight (normal 23-28 kg)

The child's weight according to his height:

• low (normal weight for a given height is 33-35 kg)

The child weighs above average and is even taller (tall child), i.e. weight does not catch up with height parameters. Therefore, according to the centile tables, the weight will be excessive for the norm, but insufficient for growth.

Calculate the child's weight and height

You can calculate the weight and height of a child according to his age independently by comparing the indicators according to the centile tables (tables 1 and 2), as well as comparing the ratio of the child’s height and weight (table 3). Remember that every child is different, so your child's growth and weight gain may differ from the values ​​​​indicated in the table.

Child's height and weight chart

Height and weight of a child up to one year old

To calculate the height and weight of a baby up to one year old, there is a table that will show how much weight a newborn should gain.

To quickly calculate the ratio of height and weight, as well as forecast indicators, use our height and weight calculator for a child from birth to 12 years.

From birth, the child must be weighed, his height, head volume and chest circumference are measured. These parameters are necessary to determine health status. If there are any deviations from the norm, you need to track which organ is working incorrectly. The baby's weight is measured at least once a month. Gain is influenced by many factors, including what kind of feeding the baby is on.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined the norm for gaining valuable grams in children under one year of age. It is these boundaries that the pediatrician should rely on when determining the lack or excess of body weight.

How much does a child without developmental disabilities weigh at birth? According to WHO, the range from 2700 to 3700 is considered normal. But these are not final figures. The standards also determine some other factors:

• hereditary;
• characteristics of the child’s health;
• gender – girls usually have smaller height and weight;
• food products consumed by the pregnant woman;
• bad habits during pregnancy lead to underweight and short stature.

Parents can easily determine whether there is an increase in the baby’s weight and height by month. To do this you need to have a scale at home.

The resulting figures are checked against the parameters of the table. It is necessary to add the number of prescribed grams to the weight of the child, which was recorded at birth.

Table of norms for weight gain and height of children by month, approved by WHO

In the first month, the baby should gain 20 grams per day. The table shows that he should gain 600 grams per month. A smaller number is regarded as a set below the norm. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe additional examination.

How much a baby weighs depends on many factors, including the following:

• Formula-fed babies gain weight faster than breast-fed babies.
• A stable set of grams is also influenced by the fact when and how the child is fed (at will or according to a schedule).
• As you can see from the table, as the baby approaches one year of age, he begins to gain less weight. This is another feature.

It has been noticed that in the first 3 days after birth, the baby loses weight. This is due to the stress that a newborn experiences when entering a new environment. In addition, these days he eats colostrum, which is not enough. By the day of discharge, the situation has stabilized, and the baby weighs in accordance with accepted standards. It is this value that becomes the starting point for further increases.

If the baby was born prematurely or with low weight, then measurements are carried out 2 times a month, or even more often.

Boundary of normal values

How much should a baby weigh every month? There are certain boundaries approved by WHO. The table clearly shows how much a child should weigh by month, depending on gender.

There are many other ways that can help caring parents determine whether their child is meeting the normal boundaries or not. The best option is to visit a pediatrician. You can buy scales, find on the Internet a special calculator for calculating the norm of weight gain in children under one year old, there is also a calculation formula.

Methods for calculating indicators

Electronic scales will help you correctly measure your child’s body weight. For convenience, you need to have them in a house where there is a baby.

This way you can track the characteristics of children’s weight gain. Table scales VENd-01-Malysh are installed in maternity hospitals and clinics. Therefore, you can opt for this model. These scales allow you to weigh a child up to 1.5 years old.

The norm for a set of important parameters can be calculated using the formula: M=m+800n (m – birth weight, n – age). For example, the weight of a child who was born with a body weight of 3490 g at 6 months should be: 3490 + 800 * 6 = 8290 (g).

An online calculator will help you check month by month how well your baby is developing. You just need to enter the data in the columns, and the height and weight calculator will display the result. Calculations will help determine how much a baby should weigh at a particular age.

The calculator includes several columns: weight, height of the child at the moment and at birth. For calculation go here.

Sometimes you can find an additional function that the calculator has - a forecast of height and weight for subsequent years. To do this, you need to fill in the fields in which the parameters are currently entered.

The calculator can produce results in two forms: according to the standards adopted by WHO, and according to the ratio of the child’s weight to his height. The calculator allows you to calculate the rate of increase not only for newborns, but also for children over 1 year old.

What to do if you are overweight or underweight

If we are talking about overkill, then there is no need to take action right away. It is possible that in one month the baby will gain extra grams, and in another, on the contrary, he will not gain at all.

The framework established by WHO is conditional. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the development of each child’s body individually. If over the course of a month the baby gains more grams than prescribed by WHO, you need to show him to an endocrinologist. Most often, this feature does not portend any diseases. The justification is genetic predisposition.

It is enough just to adjust the diet: eliminate night feedings, start complementary feeding not with cereals, but with vegetables. A restorative massage will also help.

The problem is much more serious when the baby does not receive the necessary grams prescribed by WHO over the months. In this case, parents need to be wary and consult a doctor.

One of the harmless reasons why the baby does not gain weight is the mother’s poor diet or taking any medications. Getting into mother's milk, they change its taste and smell.

A pediatrician together with parents often faces the problem of correctly assessing the development of a child and adolescent. Here it should be clarified that a child develops differently at different ages. And here it is important to correctly assess the development of the baby according to his age.

Normal indicators

A child's height can be calculated using age tables, since there is a clear relationship between the child's age and his weight. So, the baby experiences an almost constant increase in weight, so that over the course of a year its weight increases several times compared to birth. But then the increase will no longer proceed so brightly; after the age of two, the increase in body weight will be 2.0-2.5 kg annually, and only by the age of 20 will human development stop completely.

A child's height and weight are inextricably linked. Therefore, these two concepts are always taken into account in combination.

• At the age of 8 years with an average height of 130 cm for boys, the weight should be from 23.3 kg to 34.7 kg; for girls 22.1-33.8 kg.
• At the age of 9 years with a height of 135 cm, the weight for girls should be 30.7 kg to 43.6 kg, for girls 29.8-43.0 kg.
• At the age of 10 years with a height of 140 cm, the weight of boys should be 35.6-55.1 kg, for girls 34.2-53.1 kg.
• At the age of 11 years with a height of 145 cm, boys should weigh 33.5-46.8 kg, girls 32.4-47.1 kg.
• At the age of 12 years with a height of 150 cm, boys should weigh 36.5-52.2 kg, girls 36.1-53.1 kg.
• At the age of 13 years with a height of 155 cm, boys should weigh 39.6-56.2 kg, girls 39.9-57.8 kg.

The development of a child proceeds almost continuously, but this continuity is progressive in nature and there is an indirect dependence on biological age. In other words, the younger the child, the more intense the processes of synthesis of new organs and tissues and, as a consequence, the child’s development.

In children, there are two sharp developmental leaps: one year of age and puberty. In the intervals between them, the child’s weight, of course, increases, but not so intensely and completely stops by the age of 18-20. Let’s consider the main reasons for sudden jumps in the development of a child.

The relationship between chronological and biological age

Biological age is the unity of development of the tissues of the child’s body, which depend on the unique characteristics of the child.

Chronological age is a period that shows how long a child has lived since his birth. This age can be easily determined using documents. Chronological and biological ages often do not coincide with each other. This is more typical for girls, who are characterized by faster biological maturation. As a result, girls' weight and height exceed those of boys.

Heterochrony or heterogeneity in the development of organs and systems of the body

At different ages of the child, body weight will increase depending on which part of the body receives the greatest development. So, at the age of 10-12 years, the child will intensively develop lymphoid tissue, which practically did not work in previous years. And after 12 years, the genital organs and the formation of reproductive function begin to develop. In girls this is clearly expressed. Because under the influence of female sex hormones, fat is deposited in the body and body weight increases. In boys, under the influence of testosterone, muscle mass will increase, and as a result, overall weight will increase.

Gender differences

Gender differences will also influence the child's level of development. Boys will be ahead of girls in height and weight before puberty. But from the beginning of puberty (about 11 years old in girls), this ratio changes sharply: girls have higher indicators than their peers in terms of their weight, body length, and chest circumference. At the same time, different levels of development of functional systems are recorded, especially respiratory, muscular and cardiovascular. Upon reaching puberty, boys again begin to outstrip girls according to these data.

The role of heredity

The growth of a child is a program that is included in the DNA. The genetic program ensures the life cycle of the child, controls the change in periods of development in appropriate conditions of nutrition and upbringing of the child.

The genetic program plays a very important role in the child's adaptation. Thus, under the influence of the external environment (starvation, infection), a profound restructuring of the body’s metabolic processes occurs, which will help the child survive.

The hereditary apparatus will help produce the necessary hormones, biologically active substances, everything that will help the child improve his immune reserve and resist the disease.

The importance of the neuroendocrine system

During the formation of the body, the neuroendocrine system begins to work in a more organized manner, it begins to function very subtly with the genetic apparatus, which will be determined by special rates of physical development, age-related physiological and psychological characteristics, this will not slow down the development.

Influence of the external environment

The development of a child is influenced by such environmental factors as the state of the atmospheric air, the composition of drinking food, and, of course, the social factor; let’s take a closer look:

• Social factor. It has long been known that children who grew up in dysfunctional families have delays in height, weight and development when compared with their peers. Because they do not have enough food in their diet.
• Composition of drinking water. Water quality will have a strong impact on a child's growth and development. Drinking low-quality water can disrupt the functioning of many body systems, especially the urinary system. If there is a high concentration of strontium in the water, children will experience stunted growth and decreased weight gain compared to healthy children.
• Composition of atmospheric air. Recent studies have shown that air pollution with various chemicals has an adverse effect on the growth and development of a child.

All these factors must be considered when determining the development of a child between the ages of 8 and 13 years.

Scientists around the world are studying the factors that influence a person’s height and weight at any age. The most modern data say that the characteristics of the ratio in weight and height of children under five years of age depend not only on heredity and genetic predisposition, but also characterize the quality of life of the family as a whole: nutrition, climate, psychological peace in the family. If we touch upon the norms of height and weight of children, this directly depends not only on the physical development of the child, but also shows the characteristics of the life of his family.

Height

Short stature for a child under 5 years of age may mean a developmental delay, indicate the presence of certain diseases, and indicate the child’s prematurity, which has not been compensated over time. Tall height is usually not a problem, but being too tall may indicate the presence of an endocrine disorder (a similar suspicion arises if the parents of a child who is too tall are of average or below average height).

Height rating scale:

• Too low – medical help is required;
• Low – it is advisable to consult a doctor;
• Below average is a variant of the norm;
• Average is normal;
• Above average is a variant of the norm;
• High;
• Too tall.

Weight

Weight characteristics are less informative for the doctor and give a very superficial idea of ​​the child’s development. However, if you have low or very low weight, you should consult a doctor for additional tests.

Weight rating scale:

• Extremely (very) low weight – the child is exhausted;
• Low weight (underweight) - exhaustion;
• Less than average is a variant of the norm;
• Average is normal;
• More than average is a variant of the norm;
• Very big.

Height and weight in relation to each other

Height and weight in relation to each other are usually called the Body Mass Index. It is by this parameter that one should determine how developed a child is and how physically healthy he is. However, it is important to remember that BMI indicators for children depend on age and are very different from BMI indicators for adults.

What can be diagnosed by BMI:

• Exhaustion in a child (treatment required);
• Being underweight;
• Having low weight (a type of normal);
• Weight norm;
• Increased weight (a type of normal);
• Overweight;
• Obesity (needs treatment).

Preventing excess weight and obesity

Excess weight is a problem for both children and adults. Recommendations for normalizing weight are the same for everyone - proper nutrition, exercise. Those. It is the lifestyle of the child and his family that directly regulates everyone’s weight.

• It is important to make physical activity and proper nutrition a family hobby. Plan a healthy menu with your children and engage in active sports with the whole family.
• Never reward children with sweets or junk food if they behave well or get good grades. Do not associate praise or punishment with food.
• You should not force your child to finish eating if he is full.
• You shouldn’t talk about healthy and unhealthy foods all the time, much less completely exclude sweets and delicacies from your diet. Such a ban can push your child to eat a lot of junk food secretly from you - for future use.

There is no need to remind how dangerous excess weight can be for a child. Therefore, it is very important to identify the reasons that make children overeat and choose higher-calorie foods. Often children, like adults, relieve stress and replace disappointments with sweets and other unhealthy foods when attention and support from adults could help.

• “How to wean a child off sweets. A proven, safe and simple program" Teitelbaum, Kennedy. Everyone understands how harmful sugar is to health and how it affects excess weight, so this book will be useful for both parents and children. In addition, she has already gained many enthusiastic fans.
• Book by Evgenia Makarova “How to rid a child of excess weight” will help you understand the psychological problems of excess weight and help your child cope with them.
• Book by Smirnova, Kartelishev, Rumyantsev “Obesity in children and adolescents. Causes and modern technologies of therapy and prevention" is devoted to the whole range of issues of obesity in children and is intended for a wide range of readers, both parents and doctors.

Features of height and weight from 1 year to 10 years

Until the age of 10, a child grows actively. As with babies under one year old, it is now necessary to take into account many factors: genetic predisposition, the presence of congenital or acquired pathologies, possible diseases. The nutrition and lifestyle of the family as a whole is also very important. Metabolic features should also be taken into account.

Weight of girls by year from 1 year to 10 years. WHO data. Table.

The growth of girls by year from 1 year to 10 years. WHO data. Table.

Weight of boys by year from 1 year to 10 years. WHO data. Table.

The growth of boys by year from 1 year to 10 years. WHO data. Table.

Height and weight from 11 to 18 years

At this age, the spectrum of norms is very wide for both boys and girls. The time of puberty in girls is characterized by the appearance of rounded shapes, when at the same time boys are still short and small. It is necessary to psychologically prepare the child for the changes occurring in his body. At this time, girls are strictly prohibited from dieting.

The weight of girls is from 11 to 18 years. WHO data. Table.

The height of girls is from 11 to 18 years. WHO data. Table.

The weight of boys is from 11 to 18 years. WHO data. Table.

The height of boys is from 11 to 18 years. WHO data. Table.

Features of puberty

• Girls begin to grow earlier, from 10 to 18.
• Guys' growth starts later, around 15 and continues until 18-22 years old.
• The most intensive period of growth for a girl begins at age 10 and continues until age 13.
• The most intensive period of growth in boys begins at 13 years of age and continues until 16.
• It is hormonal activity that explains the sharp jump in growth.
• The norms for the parameters of boys and girls, which are shown in the table of height and weight of children, are averaged, so it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and genetics.

If a child has very little weight or, on the contrary, is overweight, then it is necessary to look for the reason. It could be:

1. disease;
2. family lifestyle;
3. daily routine (food, sleep);
4. stress;
5. the child's temperament, etc.

Bottom line

A growing child needs to be motivated; he cannot be “put on a diet” or forced to lead an active lifestyle. But we must remember that it is at this age that the dangers of developing various diseases, both physical and mental, arise.

• From 1 year to 5: It is necessary to develop healthy habits from childhood. Correct eating behavior is established already in the first years of life. Offer your baby only healthy and nutritious food. Encourage your child's mobility.
• From 6 to 12: maintaining daily physical activity. Sports section, active games on the street. Walks on weekends. Encourage healthy eating.
• From 13 to 18: Try to maintain healthy eating habits. Teach your child to cook tasty, healthy food on their own. Let there be only the right products at home. Maintain daily physical activity.
• For all: Minimize the time your child spends watching TV and computer. Do not allow eating while watching movies or cartoons. Prepare healthy and varied food. Eat together often. There should always be a lot of vegetables and fruits at home. Carbonated drinks are harmful to a child's diet. Breakfast is very important. You can't miss it.

When you yourself eat right and exercise, and for you healthy habits are the norm, part of life, then you can easily make the life of your children healthy and active. Sports and proper nutrition should be part of life, the norm for the whole family.

But the most important thing is to love your children, no matter what their weight and height.