Using the Child Height Weight Chart to Determine Childhood Obesity
As childhood obesity continues to rise in our nation, the child height weight chart can be a useful tool in monitoring how your child’s height and weight relate, and can help you determine if your child needs to change their diet or exercise level. This chart varies from that for adults, so it is important to use the correct chart when using it as a tool for children. A child height weight chart will show you how your child’s weight compares to their height, and how they relate to statistics for all children. It also shows a different scale for boys,for girls,and breaks them down into age groups:
In the past this tool typically helped parents monitor that their child was developing properly. The child height weight chart reassured parents that their child’s height and weight was in the right zone for their age. Today, however, more and more children suffer from obesity, at an alarming rate. With that in mind, the child height weight chart takes on another useful role in assuring parents that their child is not becoming overweight. To understand the percentiles used in the child height weight chart, look at what percentile your child appears. A child in the 50th percentile means that half of all children of the same age weigh more than your child, and half weigh less. A child in the 90th percentile would weigh more than 80 percent of children the same age, and less than 10 percent of children the same age. If your child rates in a high percentile on the chart, consider other factors as well. Is your child tall? Does your child have a large frame or a lot of muscle for a child that age? Has your child recently experienced a growth spurt? Keep these things in mind when determining if your child is on the road to obesity. If your child does appear to be measuring obese on the child height weight chart, look into what lifestyle changes you can make. In a nutshell, obesity occurs because more calories are consumed than the body can burn. What type of diet does your child follow? High-calorie drinks and snacks can add up quickly. Encourage your child to drink more water and make sure you stock up on healthy snacks. Does your child get enough exercise? Too much time playing computer games or watching television, and not enough time physically playing, results in a low amount of exercise. Encourage your child to play more, and begin family walks and bike rides to increase your child’s physical activity level. With obesity on the rise in America’s children and adults, it’s important to watch your child’s development. The child height weight chart can be a great tool to do just that. Be sure that your child is maintaining a healthy lifestyle so that they can in turn maintain a healthy weight. Instilling healthy habits when they are young will encourage healthy habits for life.
|
