Each appointment with the pediatrician in the first 12 months of the baby's life ends with a mandatory measurement of height and weight. If these indicators are within the normal range, then it can be argued that the child is well developed physically. To this end, the World Health Organization, shortly WHO, has compiled age tables for the height and weight of children that pediatricians use in assessing the health of babies.
Factors affecting the height and weight of children. WHO guidelines
Scientists from all over the world are actively studying the factors affecting the growth and weight of people. According to recent studies, scientists have come to the conclusion that weight indicators, as well as growth indicators for children under five, depend not only on their genetic predisposition, but also on their quality of life, climatic conditions, and type of feeding in the first two years of life. So, children who receive an artificial mixture as the main food gain weight much more than those who are breast-fed.
After analyzing the first WHO tables “height, weight of children up to one year”, compiled more than 20 years ago, scientists noticed that the norm is overstated by 16-20%. This is primarily due to the fact that in the 1990s, artificial feeding was the most common type of food for children under one year old. In modern days, an increasing number of mothers prefer to feed their babies in a natural way. Overstated standards, according to WHO experts, contribute to the unreasonable recommendations of pediatricians on feeding babies, which in turn leads to a complete transition to artificial feeding, as well as overfeeding and, as a result, obesity. According to WHO, the norms for assessing the growth of children and their weight are no longer true. Therefore, in 2006, adjustments were made and new tables were created that are perfectly suitable for assessing the development of modern children.
Weight and height of children. WHO table (0-12 months)
The WHO table is considered the most “fair” due to the fact that all parameters in it are rated as “medium”, “low” / “high”, “below average” / “above average”. Thanks to this gradation, one can easily determine whether a child meets the standards of physical development according to his age.
First year baby| Age (months) | Very low | Low | Below the average | Average | Above average | Tall |
| Newborn (0 to 3 months) | 48-56 | 49-57 | 50-58 | 53-62 | 54-64 | 55-67 |
| 4 to 6 months | 58-63 | 59-64 | 61-65 | 65-70 | 67-71 | 68-72 |
| From 7 to 9 months | 65-68 | 66-69 | 67-70 | 71-74 | 73-75 | 73-77 |
| 10 to 12 months | 69-71 | 70-72 | 71-74 | 76-78 | 77-80 | 79-81 |
The table of height and weight of a child under one year of age, according to WHO, is excellent for assessing the development of children who are both breastfed and artificially fed. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that each child is unusual and develops according to his inner plan. Therefore, a deviation from average values cannot be considered pathology. In addition to analyzing height and weight, the ratio “norm” should also include their ratio, as well as the monthly increase and lifestyle.
The ratio of height and weight
Immediately after birth , children’s weight and height are measured . The WHO table is indispensable for the pediatrician during the initial verification of the level of development. In addition to height and weight, the circumference of the chest and head is measured. In other words, doctors evaluate the proportionality of the baby's body and, as a result, his health. For example, a newborn weighs about two and a half kilograms, and his height is 54 cm. Such a child has a pronounced lack of weight. If you do not conduct an examination on time and do not prescribe the correct treatment, then such a baby may die.
If you measure the weight and height of children, the WHO chart helps you measure your health. When the weight of the newborn is in the tabular range “average”, for example, 3220 grams, and the height is 53 cm, which is also estimated as an average parameter in the table, this ratio is ideal.
Increase in growth
The first six months, the baby is considered the most intense period of development. The child is growing irregularly. It is not surprising that, for example, in the summer months, when the child receives the necessary amount of vitamin D, the increase in growth will be greater than in the winter. There is also an assumption that during sleep, children grow faster.
For a general assessment of growth, it is considered advisable to take into account weight gain. Based on this, it is customary to attribute the following indicators to the norm:
- The period of the newborn (the first three months) is an increase of 3-4 centimeters to the previous growth. For example, if a child was born 50 cm, then after three months his height will be about 53 cm.
- From three months to six months: the average increase ranges from 2-3 cm.
- From six months to nine months of age, the child grows another 4-6 cm, adding a month from an average of one to two centimeters.
- By the year the child increases his height by another 3 cm.
It turns out that in 12 months the child increases his height by an average of 20 centimeters.
Weight gain
The norm of mass of a newborn baby (immediately after the end of childbirth) ranges from 2500-4500 grams. According to WHO, every month a baby should add at least 400 grams. Thus, by six months, the child doubles its original weight. In the following months, the minimum increase should be at least 150 grams. However, when assessing the rate of weight gain, it is necessary to proceed from the initial body weight of the baby. For example, the increase may be lower than normal, provided that the baby was born large (over 4 kg), or vice versa, as small babies gain weight more rapidly in the following months.
Boys height and weight
In addition to the factors described above, the totality of which helps to determine the norm, it is worth taking into account gender identity, which affects the weight and height of children. The WHO table can display both the average height and weight boundaries for heterosexual children, as well as specific indicators for boys and girls. It is believed that boys, unlike girls, grow faster and gain weight more intensively, therefore, their physical development should be assessed according to the corresponding table.
Boys growth chart| Age | Weight kg (g) | Height, cm |
| About month | 3.5 (± 450) | 50 (± 1) |
| 1 month | 4.3 (± 640) | 54 (± 2) |
| 2 months | 5.2 (± 760) | 57 (± 2) |
| 3 months | 6.1 (± 725) | 61 (± 2) |
| 4 months | 6.8 (± 745) | 63 (± 2) |
| 5 months | 7.6 (± 800) | 66 (± 1) |
| 6 months | 8.7 (± 780) | 67 (± 2) |
| 7 months | 8.7 (± 110) | 69 (± 2) |
| 8 months | 9.4 (± 980) | 71 (± 2) |
| 9 months | 9.8 (± 1.1) | 72 (± 2) |
| 10 months | 10.3 (± 1.2) | 73 (± 2) |
| 11 months | 10.4 (± 980) | 74 (± 2) |
| 12 months | 10.4 (± 1.2) | 75 (± 2) |
| 18 months | 11.8 (± 1.1) | 81 (± 3) |
| 21 months | 12.6 (± 1.4) | 84 (± 2) |
| 24 months | 13 (± 1.2) | 88 (± 3) |
| 30 months | 13.9 (± 1.1) | 81 (± 3) |
| 3 years | 15 (± 1.6) | 95 (± 3) |
| 4 years | 18 (± 2.1) | 102 (± 4) |
| 5 years | 20 (± 3.02) | 110 (± 5) |
| 6 years | 21 (± 3.2) | 115 (± 5) |
| 8 years | 27.7 (± 4.7) | 129 (± 5) |
| 9 years | 30.4 (± 5.8) | 134 (± 6) |
| 10 years | 33.7 (± 5.2) | 140 (± 5) |
| 11 years | 35.4 (± 6.6) | 143 (± 5) |
| 12 years | 41 (± 7.4) | 150 (± 6) |
| 13 years old | 45.8 (± 8.2) | 156 (± 8) |
Height and weight of girls
To describe the physical level of development of girls, there is a separate WHO table “weight, height of girls”. It is believed that girls grow up to an average of 18 years, unlike boys, whose growth does not stand still until 22 years. In addition, at the age of 10-12 years, girls grow much faster than boys. The height and weight parameters in the table are averaged. Therefore, in assessing the development of girls, one should not forget about individual characteristics.
Girls growth table| Age | Weight kg (g) | Height, cm |
| 0 month | 3.2 (± 440) | 49 (± 1) |
| 1 month | 4.1 (± 544) | 53 (± 2) |
| 2 months | 5 (± 560) | 56 (± 2) |
| 3 months | 6 (± 580) | 60 (± 2) |
| 4 months | 6.5 (± 795) | 62 (± 2) |
| 5 months | 7.3 (± 960) | 63 (± 2) |
| 6 months | 7.9 (± 925) | 66, (± 2) |
| 7 months | 8.2 (± 950) | 67 (± 2) |
| 8 months | 8.2 (± 1.1) | 69 (± 2) |
| 9 months | 9.1 (± 1.1) | 70 (± 2) |
| 10 months | 9.3 (± 1.3) | 72 (± 2) |
| 11 months | 9.8 (± 800) | 73 (± 2) |
| 12 months | 10.2 (± 1.1) | 74 (± 2) |
| 18 months | 11.3 (± 1.1) | 80 (± 2) |
| 21 months | 12.2 (± 1.3) | 83 (± 3) |
| 24 months | 12.6 (± 1.7) | 86 (± 3) |
| 30 months | 13.8 (± 1.6) | 91 (± 4) |
| 3 years | 14.8 (± 1.5) | 97 (± 3) |
| 4 years | 16 (± 2.3) | 100 (± 5) |
| 5 years | 18.4 (± 2.4) | 109 (± 4) |
| 6 years | 21.3 (± 3.1) | 115 (± 4) |
| 8 years | 27.4 (± 4.9) | 129 (± 5) |
| 9 years | 31 (± 5.9) | 136 (± 6) |
| 10 years | 34.2 (± 6.4) | 140 (± 6) |
| 11 years | 37.4 (± 7.1) | 144 (± 7) |
| 12 years | 44 (± 7.4) | 152 (± 7) |
| 13 years old | 48.7 (± 9.1) | 156 (± 6) |
Graph of height and weight of boys
It is very important for parents to track the weight and height of the child. The WHO chart and graph will help loving moms and dads understand if everything is alright with their child. If the table provides specific data that are the norm for a certain age, then the graph helps to visually see the entire development process.
The graphs below are based on the weight and height parameters of boys (blue graph) and girls (pink graph) from birth to 5 years of age. The scale on the left displays the weight or, depending on the schedule, the height of the child. Below is the age. The green line, located in the center of the graph and indicated by the number 0, is considered a norm indicator and corresponds to the “average” rating in the table. The chart lines passing under the numbers -2 and -3 are equivalent to the tabular indicators “below average” and “low”. Consequently, lines 2 and 3 are equated to the parameters “above average” and “high”.
Weight chart for boys (under 5 years old)
Growth graph of a boy (up to 5 years)
Graph of height and weight of girls
For girls, you need to use a separate schedule of height and weight. The graphs below describe normal rates for girls under 5 years old.
Weight chart girls (up to 5 years)
Growth chart for girls (up to 5 years)
As you already understood, parents are required to assess the weight and height of children. The WHO table in this matter will help determine whether the indicators obtained are the norm. Nevertheless, do not be upset if you notice that the height or, possibly, the weight of your child is low or vice versa high. The main thing is that the weight of your baby matches his height, but at the same time, indicators should not be critically low or high.