How is growth tracked in preschoolers during preventive visits?

• A. Measure only height annually.
• B. Plot weight, height, and BMI on standard growth charts; monitor for percentile changes.
• C. Compare to average for age without charts.
• D. Use only weight to assess growth.

Answer: (B)

Tracking growth in preschoolers relies on charting multiple measurements over time rather than looking at a single number. At each preventive visit, you measure weight and height, compute BMI, and plot all three on standardized growth charts for age and sex. By following where the child sits on these curves across visits, you can see growth velocity and trajectory. This method helps identify kids who are following a healthy path, as well as those who are crossing percentile lines—rising toward overweight or slipping toward undernutrition—so early steps can be taken if needed.

Relying only on height misses changes in weight and overall body composition, while using only weight ignores how tall the child has grown and how mass relates to height. Simply comparing a child to an average doesn’t reveal whether they are tracking along their own growth curve, which is what matters for detecting problems or confirming normal growth. Including BMI for age on the charts provides a useful measure of excess weight relative to height, which is particularly important for identifying overweight or obesity risk in preschoolers.