Information For Health Professionals

steadygrow helps detect the possibility of underweight, overweight or obesity in children and young people from the age of 2 to 18. 

The definitions we use are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) BMI charts:

• Underweight - BMI less than 5th percentile.
• Healthy weight - BMI 5th to 84.9th percentile.
• Overweight - BMI 85th to 94.9th percentile.
• Obesity - BMI 95th percentile and above.

The steadygrow program supports parents in helping their children achieve and maintain a steady, healthy weight as they grow, giving feedback on the child's weight and BMI. 

For a child whose weight falls into the overweight or obese range, steadygrow also provides feedback on how long that child needs to hold their weight steady, in order to 'grow into it'.

Risk factors for mis-classification

BMI is known to inappropriately classify some children.

For example, some muscular children may be classified as overweight when they are not in fact carrying excess fat.

Some 'light-framed' children, particularly those of Indian or Chinese extraction, may have a BMI below the range of risk, yet clinically be carrying excess fat.

Assessment by a health professional

BMI is currently the simplest and most useful way to classify overweight or obesity. However, in terms of accuracy for the individual, BMI cannot replace a formal assessment by a health professional.

steadygrow encourages parents to have their child assessed at least once by a health professional if they are concerned that their child may be underweight, overweight or obese.

Nominating a 'preferred weight' in place of BMI

steadygrow allows parents to use either the BMI or a preferred weight nominated by a health professional, as the basis for feedback about their child's weight.

If your judgement is that BMI is not appropriate for the child, please nominate a preferred weight that you consider more appropriate for her/him as at today. The parent or carer can then enter this preferred weight in their child's steadygrow webpage, and we will use it as the basis for feedback.

Please also measure and provide the child's current height. 

How steadygrow uses a 'preferred weight'

steadygrow:

• Calculates the BMI percentile of the 'preferred weight' nominated for the child.
• Charts this percentile up to one year ahead, as the child's 'preferred weight' line. 
• Shows how long the child needs to hold current weight steady, in order to 'grow into' it.

'Preferred weight' examples

Using BMI percentiles alone, John is in the overweight range.  He is:  

• 5 years, 3 months old. 
• 118cm tall.
• 24kg in weight. 

On examination, however, you find a healthy, muscular child with no excess body fat.  

You decide that his current weight is, in fact, a healthy weight for him; what steadygrow terms his 'preferred weight' today.

Using BMI percentiles alone, Sanjay is not currently overweight or obese. He is:

• 9 years, 6 months old.
• 142cm tall.
• 33kg in weight.  

On examination, you find a boy of fine build, with clear excess body fat carried around the waist. Using growth charts you see that his height is between the 90th and 97th percentile and his weight is between the 75th and 90th percentile. 

You record his waist circumference and recommend that a preferred weight for him at this time would be around 30kg.

When weight loss is required

In cases where a weight loss program is recommended (rather than a 'hold weight steady' approach), weight loss monitoring may continue to be undertaken using the steadygrow program under medical guidance. 

Article created: Dec 22, 2004.  Last modified: April 20, 2008.