Interactive Tool: Is Your Child at a Healthy Weight?

What does this tool measure?

Click here to find out if your child or teen is at a healthy weight . This tool can be used for children ages 2 to 19. Be cautious if you use this tool or any height and weight charts to assess your child's growth after he or she reaches puberty. Check with your doctor if you have questions.

This tool looks at your child's weight and height, and then compares it to other boys or girls of the same age. Not all children are the same. Some are naturally larger and some are naturally smaller. Your child's size will be given a number, called a percentile, that ranks your child's size with other children of the same age.

What's most important is that your child is at the same percentile over time, so it takes several measurements to assess your child's growth. You should talk with your doctor if your child suddenly shifts up or down in percentile. A gradual change from one percentile to another is probably not a cause for concern.

Finding that a child is "overweight" or "underweight" is a medical diagnosis. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your child's weight. Your doctor can give you steps to take to help your child reach and stay at a healthy weight.

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated September 1, 2006
Medical Review:	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Joanne P. Ikeda, MA, RD - Nutrition Education Specialist and Lecturer
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