Growth Charts for Children in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Tracking your child’s growth is one of the simplest and most important ways to monitor their overall health. In Grand Rapids, pediatricians and family doctors regularly use growth charts for children to measure height, weight, and other key indicators over time.

Babies and young children who receive good nutrition, regular medical care, and who are not sick for long periods usually follow a healthy growth pattern. Growth is influenced by:

  • Genetics (family height and build)
  • Nutrition and feeding
  • Overall health and illness
  • Physical activity
  • Environment and seasonal factors (such as Michigan’s long, cold winters that can affect activity levels and vitamin D)

How Children Grow: What’s Normal?

Children in Grand Rapids, just like elsewhere, do not grow in a perfectly smooth, steady line. They tend to grow in “bursts” or spurts.

  • First year of life: Babies grow very rapidly.
    • On average, a newborn will more than triple their birth weight by their first birthday.
  • Second year and beyond: Growth slows down.
    • On average, children gain about 2–3 kilograms (4–7 pounds) per year until the next major growth spurt at puberty.

Seasonal changes in West Michigan can also play a role. During colder months with snow and ice, outdoor play may decrease, which can affect physical activity and weight gain. Local pediatric providers in Grand Rapids are familiar with these patterns and consider them when assessing growth.

How Growth Is Measured in Grand Rapids

Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in Grand Rapids—at clinics such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health—use several standard measurements to assess growth in children.

Common Growth Measurements

Healthcare professionals typically measure:

  • Weight
  • Height (or length) – length for babies and toddlers lying down, height for older children standing
  • Head circumference – from birth to about 3 years of age
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) – for children 2 years and older, using child-specific BMI charts

These measurements are plotted on growth charts to track your child’s growth over time and compare it to standardized reference ranges.

What Are Growth Charts?

Growth charts are tools based on large studies of children in the general population. They show what is considered a normal range of measurements for children of a particular age and sex.

In the United States, and here in Michigan, healthcare providers commonly use:

  • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) growth charts for children and teens
  • WHO (World Health Organization) growth charts for infants from birth to 2 years

These charts are divided into curved lines called percentiles or centiles.

Understanding Percentiles

Percentiles show how your child compares with other children of the same age and sex.

For example:

  • A baby on the 85th percentile for weight is:
    • Heavier than 85% of babies of the same age and sex
    • Lighter than 15% of babies of the same age and sex

Most healthy babies and children fall somewhere between the 3rd and 97th percentiles for weight, length/height, and head circumference.

Being above or below a certain percentile does not automatically mean a problem. What matters most is:

  • The overall pattern of growth over time
  • Whether your child is following their own curve consistently
  • Any sudden changes in direction (for example, dropping from the 75th to the 25th percentile)

Types of Growth Charts Used

In Grand Rapids pediatric and family medicine clinics, you’ll typically see:

  • Weight-for-age charts (birth to 36 months; 2–20 years)
  • Length/height-for-age charts (birth to 36 months; 2–20 years)
  • Head circumference-for-age charts (birth to 36 months)
  • BMI-for-age charts (2–20 years)

There are separate charts for boys and girls, regardless of which growth reference is used.

These charts are standard tools in:

  • Pediatric offices throughout Grand Rapids
  • Local hospitals such as Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (part of Corewell Health)
  • Public health programs through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health initiatives

BMI for Children and Teens

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way to assess a child’s weight in relation to their height. It is one part of evaluating whether a child may be:

  • Underweight
  • Healthy weight
  • Overweight
  • Obese

How BMI Is Calculated

BMI is calculated using the formula:

BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ [Height (m)]²

For children and adolescents, BMI is not interpreted the same way as for adults. It must be compared to age- and sex-specific percentile charts because:

  • As children grow, their body composition changes
  • BMI normally decreases during toddler and preschool years
  • BMI then increases again during school years and into adulthood

BMI Percentiles and What They Mean

For children over 2 years old, BMI percentile charts are used as a guide:

  • BMI ≥ 85th percentile and < 95th percentile – suggests the child may be overweight
  • BMI ≥ 95th percentile – suggests obesity

These cut-offs are guidelines, not a diagnosis by themselves. Your child’s doctor will also consider:

  • Family history
  • Diet and physical activity
  • Medical history
  • Puberty and growth stage
  • Seasonal lifestyle changes (for example, less activity in winter in West Michigan)

Why Growth Charts Matter

In Grand Rapids, growth charts are a key part of routine well-child visits and school physicals. They help your healthcare provider:

  • See how your child is growing over time
  • Compare your child’s growth to typical patterns for their age and sex
  • Identify potential growth or developmental problems early
  • Decide if further tests, referrals, or nutrition counseling are needed

If your child’s growth pattern changes significantly—such as a rapid drop in percentile or a plateau in height or weight—this may be a sign to look more closely at:

  • Nutrition and eating habits
  • Chronic illnesses or frequent infections
  • Hormone or endocrine problems
  • Emotional or social stress
  • Activity levels, especially during long Michigan winters

When to Be Concerned About Your Child’s Growth

You should contact a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if:

  • Your child’s growth curve changes suddenly, such as crossing two or more percentile lines
  • Your child is consistently below the 3rd percentile or above the 97th percentile
  • You notice that your child’s clothes and shoes are not being outgrown over time
  • Your child seems much smaller or larger than peers and this is new or worsening
  • You have any concerns about eating, weight, or development

Remember, growth charts are guides only. They are most useful when interpreted by a trained professional who knows your child and can consider the full picture.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Child Growth and Nutrition

If you are concerned about your child’s growth in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you can reach out to:

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
    • Practices affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health
  • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Corewell Health)
    • Pediatric specialists, including endocrinologists and nutrition experts
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Public health programs, immunizations, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutrition support
  • Registered dietitians in Grand Rapids
    • Available through major health systems and private practices
  • School-based health centers
    • Some Grand Rapids Public Schools have health services that can assist with growth and nutrition concerns

Always Talk to a Doctor if You’re Worried

If you are concerned about your child’s height, weight, or overall growth:

  • Schedule a well-child visit or check-up with your Grand Rapids pediatrician or family doctor.
  • Ask them to:
    • Review your child’s growth chart over time
    • Explain what your child’s percentiles mean
    • Discuss nutrition, physical activity, and local resources that can support healthy growth

Early assessment and guidance—using standard growth charts for children—can help ensure your child grows and develops as healthily as possible, here in Grand Rapids and throughout their life.