Ideal weight for children

 Ideal weight for children

Parents often worry about their children's weight and wonder, Is my child fat? Or skinny? What is the ideal weight for children? How can you know that your child's weight is normal?

Before you judge your child as fat or skinny, you must know what is the ideal weight for children in each age group? The answer is in the following article:

What is the ideal weight for children?

The ideal weight for children is determined within the normal growth rates for each age determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), which the pediatrician examines from the first day of the child’s life and at every periodic review, especially during the first year of life.

The normal weight of a child varies according to each age stage in his life, and this weight is affected by the child’s weight at birth, the mother’s health status during pregnancy, the child’s nutrition, the presence of a chronic disease, and some genetic factors. Maintaining the child’s weight within its normal range helps maintain health. Heart and arteries.

How is the ideal weight for children determined?

Growth charts issued by the World Health Organization are used to determine whether a child's growth is within normal levels. These charts use statistical values called percentiles to compare the child's weight to the average weight of his peers of the same age and gender, which may require an expert to calculate them.

How do I measure my child's weight correctly?

To measure the child’s weight correctly, the following steps must be followed:

1- Ensure that the scale is calibrated and placed on a stable floor.

2- The child took off his shoes, jacket, and any heavy clothing.

3- Make the child stand upright in the middle of the scale, and read the weight to the nearest decimal place.

Ideal weight chart for children

Below is an explanation of the ideal weight for children:

1. Average normal weights for infants

The following table represents the average normal weight of infants:

In premature babies, the baby's gestational age should be used, not the age at birth.

2. Average normal weights for young children

Below are the normal weight rates for young children from 12 months to 24 months:

3. Average normal weights for older children

As for normal weight rates for older children:

What factors affect a child's weight?

Some factors affect the child's weight, the most important of which are:

* Birth: If the baby is born after his expected due date, his weight may be higher than average, and if he is born before his due date, he will most likely be smaller.

* Maternal health during pregnancy: If you smoke or eat poorly, your baby will likely be born thin. Conversely, if you eat a lot and gain a lot of weight or have gestational diabetes, your baby will likely be born with a weight higher than average.

* Gender: Usually a female child is less weight and taller than a male child.

* Breastfeeding or formula: In the first year of life, babies who are breastfed gain weight more slowly than those who take formula.

* Hormonal problems: If the child suffers from hormonal problems, such as: deficiency in growth hormone, or thyroid hormone, which results in slow growth.

* Certain medications: Regular use of glucocorticoids may cause slow growth.

* Health problems: Some chronic diseases, such as: kidney disease, cancers, and other diseases that can affect the ability to eat or absorb nutrients, such as digestive problems that can slow the growth process.

* Genetic problems: Some genetic syndromes, such as Down syndrome, Noonan syndrome, or Turner syndrome, may affect growth and weight.

* Sleep: Children's development occurs after sleep, so if your child sleeps well he will have good growth.