Do height and weight percentiles actually predict adult size?
Show your support
@Hannah so does that mean that unless somehow in the next 4mo, my son blows up, he will be small? That's really confusing because if you look at their charts in the doc office, the growing is supposed to sort of slow down vs how fast they grew when they were 4mo to 9mo. It's confusing cause I thought it was based on genetics. And both of our families are tall people. So I'm curious how that works if several kids in his class are all 60-90th percentile in height and weight and their parents are about average. One other parent is taller than me and her kid is 50th percentile on both.
She emphasized “at least” 2 years old. I don’t have any information beyond what I asked her. I’m sorry 😭 Maybe someone else has older kids and can give out more useful information.
I hate those charts because it messes with moms anxieties and worries about their child. No matter what percentage a kid is doesnt matter. They are healthy, happy and that is what is important.
If curious the pediatrician can actually look at his hand bones and calculate height I think around 4 or 5 (the spacing in the hand bones calculates it with 95% accuracy). Another method used is to double a boy’s height at age 2 or a girls at 18 months. Here’s some different methods from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/expert-answers/child-growth/faq-20057990#:~:text=Another%20way%20to%20estimate%20a,height%20at%20age%2018%20months.
I don't think it's accurate at all. My brother and I were both lower percentiles as babies and even the first several years. I'm only '5 2" and he is '6 4".
Why are you so worried about that? that’s the real question… is your kid fed? Happy? Clothed? Healthy? That’s one lucky kid. Who cares how tall he is…
My mom did it for us and they were pretty spot on. I'm a couple inches shorter them the prediction calculator said and my brothers are actually their exact heights.
They said my brother was suppose to be 6"9 he only made it to 6"5 but those charts are mostly about your kids growth over growth not about comparison to other kids
It’s actually very accurate for mine. At the moment. He might turn out a little taller still as he’s still quite young, but reaching the end of his growth spurts soon. He was predicted to be 6’5” and he’s a little over at nearly 16 years old. Obviously the turns genetics make can not always be predicted. No siblings from the same parents are the same height even if they’re same gender. While according to formulas they should be 🤷♀️ if same size at birth.
They have some videos about how to calculate the future height of your child on tik tok. I think they said add the parents height in inches. Divide by 2. If it’s a girl you take away 5 inches and if it’s a boy you add 5 inches. For example 65+65=130 130/2=65 Girl: 60 inch Boy:70 inch
@Nicole I highly doubt this is true. My parents are about the same height (5'10") but I'm the oldest at 5'5", my sister is 5'9", my brother 5'11" and the youngest at 22 is 6-6'1". My husband is just under 6' and his parents are 5'7" (dad) and 5'1-2" (mom). Our 3 kiddos (B,G,G) will all be different heights and most likely on the tall side like my mom's side of the family, who range from 5'10"-6'8" because right now they're all tall for their ages (8, almost 6, and 3). All this to say, genetics play a factor, yes, but there are other factors, too. So, OP, there's no need to worry about your child's height now or in the future. It'll be what it is no matter what.
No. My daughter was born 5”4 and she’s always been petite but now 19, taller than me, nicer curves than me lol and she’s a gorgeous human being (looks and personality!) She (being Asian) is a bit shorter than her white gfs and MUCH shorter than her white guy friends but they are TALL. Lol. But you cannot tell she was a petite baby, no. She stands about 5”3-5”4 which I am only 5”1 😂
Yes and no. A lot happens between birth an adulthood but also there is usually some curve people follow. That being said, I think that within families you tend to have certain sized babies and certain sized adults. My best friends family, they're all short people but the babies are all 10lbs at least when born. So it's just genetics. But also, I stayed 15th% for my entire life until adulthood.
@Samantha I care because I am curious. Why is asking any question always leading back to if your kid is happy and healthy? Also, if people didn't compare then why are other parents in his daycare constantly throwing it in my face of how small he is and wondering if something is wrong with him because they see how big we are.
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
to connect with women at a similar stage in life.
Trusted by 5M+ women
@incognito were you and your partner small as children?
Also, my daughter is HUGE and her dad and I are both small. There's one of her great grandfathers on each side that was big/tall. Genetics is weird. It's possible your son has genetics of a smaller grandparent and that's OK. People shouldn't be commenting or assuming, I'm sorry you're going through that
@Lauren 🤠 husband was on the smaller end when born. I was fat but short.
I literally asked my pediatrician about this last week and she said it’s really not predictable until they’re at least 2 years old (using the percentiles).