Attention News Editor:

News Release        For Immediate Release

May 3, 2006

New Growth Charts Keep Children’s Development on Track

New Child Growth Standards released by the World Health Organization (WHO) provide parents and health professionals a better understanding of child development. These new standards are the first to be based on breastfed babies and include the first Body Mass Index (BMI) for children less than five years. The standards also identify major milestones for children such as sitting, standing and walking.

The new standards are the result of a seven-year study of more than 8,000 children worldwide. According to Catherine le Gales-Camus, WHO assistant director general, “The study shows that nutrition, feeding practices, environment and health care are stronger factors in the growth of children to age five than genetics or ethnic background."

Growth charts are among the tools used by public health nurses at Healthy Baby Centres and during home visits to help parents understand how their child is growing. “In the past, we’ve used a growth chart based on formula fed infants for all babies. This could cause breastfeeding mothers to worry because it appeared that their baby was underweight according to the chart. Formula fed infants often gain more weight in their first year,” explains Terra Luscombe, a public health nurse with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. “The breastfed babies are perfectly healthy and well nourished and now parents will have feedback to know their child is growing and developing well.  Our hope is that more parents will continue to breastfeed beyond six months knowing their child is on track.”

The Child Growth Standards should be considered the target for all children. The standards represent babies and children raised under the best conditions for health and growth; they were breastfed, received good pediatric health care, including immunizations, and raised in smoke-free environments. These new charts describe how children should grow. They are a prescription for good growth and can be used in a proactive way to evaluate and address issues including obesity or malnutrition.

For more information, parents are encouraged to talk with a Public Health Nurse by phoning 519-376-9420 or talk to their health care provider.

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For more information:

Terra Luscombe,

Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 ext. 460