Monitoring the growth and development of our children is a source of both joy and concern for parents. To ensure their healthy progress, we often seek advice from family members regarding our genetic history, consult with physicians, and scour the internet for reliable information. Fortunately, health institutes across the United States offer a valuable resource in the form of height and weight charts.
Evolution of Height and Weight Charts
The emergence of height and weight charts can be traced back to the efforts of Count Philibert de Montbeillard, who diligently recorded his son’s height every six months during the initial 18 years of his life. This data was later published in 1749 by French naturalist George Buffon, who formulated the first growth curve based on a child’s age. Recognizing the significance of such charts, the National Center for Health Statistics established its own set of height and weight charts for physicians throughout the United States in 1977.
Height and Weight Charts for Males and Females
In the United States, modern height and weight charts are typically divided by sex to account for the distinct developmental patterns of boys and girls. As puberty can occur at different ages and bring about various physical changes, using a single “average” height or weight measurement for both sexes is not as accurate or informative.