Ask

Routinely assessing the growth of children is an important part of good quality clinical care but raising the issue of a child鈥檚 growth and weight status can be challenging and sensitive.

Asking the child, parent/carer for consent before measuring their height and weight is an important first step.

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Ask the child, parent or carer if you can measure their child鈥檚 height/length and weight
Measure th鈥媏 child鈥檚 height and weight accurately
For over two-year-olds enter the child鈥檚 height and weight into the children鈥檚 BMI calculator
Plot the over two-year-olds height and weight on either the girl or boy growth chart鈥�
Assessing children's growth videos

Ask the child, parent or carer if you can measure their child鈥檚 height/length and weight 鈥�

鈥淏efore we start today, would you mind if we checked how you are growing?鈥�

It is important to explain to the child, parent or carer why growth assessments are being taken.

鈥淢onitoring a child鈥檚 height and weight is really important. Just assessing them by looking at them is not enough.鈥�

鈥淚 routinely measure height and weight and plot BMI on a growth chart for all children. It helps me to identify any health concerns early and determines the type of support I can provide my patients and their families.鈥�

Once you have parental and child consent it is important to talk to the child throughout the measurements. You may like to use phrases like:

鈥淟et鈥檚 see how you are growing today"

What to say if a parent refuses

If you sense strong resistance, stay positive, acknowledge this, and move onto their reason for presentation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 ok if you prefer we don鈥檛 record height and weight today. Perhaps next time. If you change your mind, your GP or any health professional is happy to talk to you about how you/your child is growing.鈥�

鈥淎ll 黑料吃瓜网 Health facilities are working towards routinely measuring children鈥檚 height and weight, so you might be asked again at your next appointment or by another health professional.鈥�

Measure the child鈥檚 height and weight accurately鈥�

鈥嬧赌嬧赌嬧€嬧赌嬧赌嬧€嬧赌婥hildren aged over 2

1. The child should stand barefoot, with heels together, legs straight and shoulders relaxed.
2. Heels, buttocks and, if possible, scapulae should be against the wall.
3. Position the headboard on the child鈥檚 head and check that the child is looking straight ahead, with the lower margins of their eyes in the same horizontal plane as their ear canal.
4. Tell the child to 鈥榖reathe in and stand tall鈥�. Apply gentle but firm pressure to help the child stretch. Ensure the heels are not lifted from the ground. Tell the child to 鈥榖reathe out and relax鈥� while the measurer maintains pressure on the head.
5. Read the height to the last complete millimetre (do not round up!) Read from the same height as the top of the head.
6. Plot the height measurement on the standard centile chart of height for age and sex and include in the child鈥檚 medical record.
If required, ask another staff member or the parent for assistance to ensure the child stands in the correct position.
1. Only light clothing should be worn. Remove shoes, socks and heavy clothing such as a coat, jacket, or jumper, and ensure pockets are empty.
2. Turn the scale on and wait until it displays zero.
3. Ask the child to stand on the middle of the scale, look straight ahead and stand still.
4. Check the child is not holding onto a wall or table; and arms are at their side.
5. Wait until the scale settles at a reading and record weight to the nearest 100g (0.1kg).
6. If able, measure height and use both measurements to calculate BMI, plot on the relevant BMI-for-age chart and include in the child鈥檚 electronic medical record.
Equipment
- The scale should weigh up to 200kg in 100g (0.1kg) increments.
- Scales should have a stable weighing platform, which is large enough to support the child.
- Place the scale on a stable, non-carpeted surface.
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Children aged under 2

Length measurement is appropriate for most children under 2 years, and old if unable to stand.
1. Lay child with their head against the headboard, and feet flat on the footboard, with their shoes and socks removed.
2. Gently bring the top of the child鈥檚 head into contact with the fixed headboard. The child should be looking straight up.
3. Hold the child鈥檚 knees and feet so they are together and flat against the board.
4. Apply firm pressure to the child鈥檚 feet and knees. The child鈥檚 feet should be at right angles to the base of the board.
5. Apply firm pressure to the child鈥檚 feet and knees. The child鈥檚 feet should be at right angles to the base of the board.
6. Plot the length measurement on the relevant chart and include in the child鈥檚 medical record.
Measuring may require two people to ensure correct measurement.
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1. To collect bare weight, ensure the child is undressed with the nappy removed.
2. Place a sheet/paper towel on the scale.
3. Turn the scale on and wait until it displays zero.
4. Place the child in the centre of the scale and ensure that weight is evenly distributed.
5. Wait until the scale settles at a reading and record weight to the nearest 5g (0.005 kg).
6. Plot the weight measurement on the relevant weight-for-age chart and enter into the child鈥檚 electronic medical record. If able, measure length and plot on the relevant chart and enter into the child鈥檚 record.
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Equipment
- The scale should weigh up to 20kg, in 5g (0.005kg) increments.
- Place the scale on a stable, non-carpeted surface.
- If using a trolley, check the scale is not touching the edges of the trolley

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鈥嬧赌嬧赌�For children over 2 enter the child鈥檚 height and weight into the children鈥檚 BMI calculator

This calculator is a tool to help health professionals assess healthy growth and development in children. It is not a full assessment. All results need to be discussed with a health professional who knows the child and their family.

/heal/child/wellbeing/Pages/body-mass-index-calculator.aspx

BMI calc鈥媢lator

For children over 2 plot the child's height and weight on either the girl or boy growth chart

Growth charts are visual representations used to track the changes in a child's length or height, weight, and head circumference as they grow. Using growth chart, health professionals can assess healthy growth and development in children.

The growth chart will show which percentile the child sits in: