Children do not necessarily grow and develop on the same time frame. According to Kidshealth.org, a child's weight and height at any given moment depends on genetics, gender, environment, diet and the amount of exercise he gets. As children reach puberty, increased hormonal activity spurs physical changes that have a significant impact on height and weight.
Growth Charts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created growth charts to measure and compare a child's development with what is considered normal for her age and gender. Different growth charts are used for girls and boys because of considerable variations in their growth rate patterns.
The typical adolescent may grow up to 10 more inches before reaching his full adult height. Due to individual variables, growth charts are not considered an exact forecast of a child's weight at full maturity.
BMI
National growth charts also take into account body mass index (BMI). The BMI number helps identify and prevent obesity. Your BMI estimates how many pounds you should weigh, based on your height. BMI is figured by multiplying your weight by 703. That number is divided by your height in inches. That answer is divided once again by your height in inches. For example, a 40-lb. child who is 36 inches tall would have a BMI of 22. That's within the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) recommends BMI screenings begin at age 2.
Weight
As young bodies change rapidly during puberty, most children gain weight at an accelerated pace. Muscle, fat and bone all experience significant growth spurts. Weight can vary tremendously during this phase. Some children begin developing as young as age 8, while others don't begin to shows signs of physical maturity until they reach age 14.
If you suspect your child may be overweight, your pediatrician can help you determine whether there is cause for concern.
According to the Mayo Clinic, childhood obesity is an acute medical condition that occurs when a child is significantly above the average weight for the child's height and age.
On the other hand, insufficient weight gain may point to illness, possible neglect or other issues.
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