Height & Weight Concerns in Children

The U.S. uses standardized growth charts to compare children's growth to their peers using percentile measurements. If your child measures at the 70th percentile for height, it means compared with a set number of children of the same age, your child is the same height or taller than 70 percent. Children between the third and 97th percentile growing at a consistent rate and in a predictable pattern are considered to being growing normally. A child outside those percentiles who is growing faster or slower and with no noticeable pattern could have a medical issue.

Shorter

• If your child is short relative to peers, assure the child that most kids eventually catch up. Do not compare your child's height to others and avoid nicknames, such as shorty, as these can be hurtful. Emphasize activities that promote self-esteem and do not depend on height and weight for success. For example, encourage your smaller teen to try out for the tennis or swim team versus the football or basketball team. Focus on other strengths, such as music or art.

Taller

• Being taller than peers can make a child self-conscious. Encourage your child to accept the height and stand up straight. If children slouch or walk with their heads down, they appear less confident and an easier target for teasing. Promote interest in activities where height is an advantage, such as basketball or volleyball. Assure them that they have probably hit their growth spurt earlier than their peers and that everyone will eventually catch up and maybe even pass them. If you are the tall parent of a tall child, share your stories of being the tallest among your peers.

Underweight

• A thin child might be genetically predisposed to be thin if both parents are thin. A sudden growth in height might make a child appear thinner until the weight catches up. Have frequent, healthy, high-calories snacks available to your child. Ask your child to help with planning and preparing meals. Encourage calm, unhurried meal times so eating is not rushed or skipped. If your child has typically been normal or heavier and continues to lose weight without levelling off, consider following up with a doctor.

Overweight

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 17 percent of children between 2 and 19 years old are obese. The Body Mass Index (BMI) tool uses weight and height measurements to determine a person's percentage of body fat. In addition to earlier onset of weight-related diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, overweight children can suffer ongoing self-esteem issues. If your child is overweight, encourage daily physical activity. Ensure healthy, low-calorie snacks are readily available to your child. Model healthy exercise and eating habits for your child.

Medical Conditions and Growth Disorders

• Chronic illnesses, such as kidney disease or cystic fibrosis, can affect growth. Poor nutrition or imbalances in hormone production caused by, for example, hypothyroidism, might be factors. In some cases, small stature can be caused by Turner syndrome and excessive height by Marfan syndrome. If you are concerned your child's growth pattern suggests a medical condition, ask your doctor for tests or arrange to see a pediatric endocrinologist, who specializes in growth disorders.