Which statement best describes the purpose of growth charts?

• A. To diagnose obesity
• B. To track growth over time and compare with standardized percentiles to identify under- or over-growth
• C. To compare sibling heights
• D. To measure head circumference only

Answer: (B)

Growth charts are used to monitor how a child grows over time and to compare measurements with standardized percentiles for age and sex. By plotting weight, height/length, and head circumference across visits, you can see whether growth follows a typical pattern or if a child crosses percentile lines, which may signal under-nutrition, growth delays, or potential obesity risk. This approach emphasizes trends rather than a single number, helping clinicians detect problems early and guide interventions. It’s not used to diagnose obesity by itself ( BMI-for-age percentiles are used for that in appropriate contexts), and growth charts include more than head circumference alone, as well as comparisons across age- and sex-specific standards.