What are the Growth Indicators in Kids in India? Why are they important?
“Are my children growing well?” – This has been my first and foremost question to our paediatrician upon every visit. Like every parent, this is my primary concern too when it comes to their health. Are they growing fine? Are they getting enough nutrition? What else can I do so they grow right – physically and mentally?
In fact, I am even aware that no matter how much I try, there will always be something that’s lacking and probably I will never reach the point of satisfaction. The way they grow says a lot about their health and the onus lies on me as their parent.
Kids come in all shapes and sizes yet a healthy child should continue to grow at a constant pace. The growth chart should follow it’s trajectory with equal proportions right from their birth.
Growth indicators in children
Good nutrition, plenty of sleep and regular physical exercise have a great impact on a child’s normal growth and they are the best overall indicators of a child’s good health. However, growth is greatly influenced by many factors such as:
- Heredity
- Genetic or congenital factor
- Illness and medications
- Nutrition
- Hormones
- Psychosocial environment
This means that forcing your kids to eat extra food or giving them more than recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients will not increase their height. Hence, the focus should be on the right nutrition always as nutritional deficiencies affect the growth of a child.
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What are the growth indicators in kids?
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The growth indicators are used to assess growth considering a child’s age and measurements like height and weight together. Till the age of adolescence, weight and height are considered as the primary indicators of a child’s growth.
Following are the four parameters* that serve as growth indicators in kids:
- Length/height-for-age: Length/height-for-age reflects attained growth in length or height at the child’s age at a given visit. This indicator can help identify children who are stunted (short) due to prolonged undernutrition or repeated illness.
- Weight-for-age: Weight-for-age reflects body weight relative to the child’s age on a given day. This indicator is used to assess whether a child is under weight or severely underweight, but it is not used to classify a child as overweight or obese.
- Weight-for-length/height: Weight-for-length/height reflects body weight in proportion to attained growth in length or height
- BMI (body mass index)-for-age: BMI-for-age is an indicator that is especially useful for screening for overweight and obesity.
Weight-Height Chart for Indian Children
These parameters serve as guidelines in understanding if your child is growing right. An easier way to keep a tab is to use this Grow Right Tracker from PediaSure. It makes tracking very easy.
All you need to do is enter the age, height and weight and you get to download the report that helps you figure out your child’s percentile in growth. When I came across this, I downloaded the report for later reference and it helped me in figuring out the right nutritional requirements so all gaps are filled. It serves as a guide to learn where we can do better for our kids’ growth.
So, it is not just reaching particular growth milestones that is important. Each milestone has some takeaway for us so we can provide the right care and nourishment for our kids. Understanding these parameters truly helps in ensuring all your child’s needs are fulfilled because after all that is the #FirstStepToGrowRight.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any brand. Any omissions or errors at the author’s end does not assume any liability or responsibility on any party mentioned in the blog.
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