Overview of the CDC Growth Charts – About This Course

Content

The CDC growth reference charts described in this training course apply only to children and teens aged 2 to 20 years. There are seven sections in this course:

1. What Growth Charts Are Recommended?
2. What Are Clinical Growth Charts?
3. The 2000 CDC Growth Charts: Features and Data
4. Comparison of the 2000 and 2022 BMI-for-Age Growth Charts
5. Anthropometric Indices: Definitions and Categories
6. Summary
7. Resources and References

Self-assessment questions are included in each section. Supplemental materials are also available, including a reference list.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this training includes health care practitioners such as dieticians, nurses, physicians, medical assistants, and other practitioners who measure and assess growth of children and teens.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the training, you will be able to

1. Understand what a growth chart is and be able to select the charts that are appropriate for your patients.
2. Define indicators that are used to assess and categorize growth in children and adolescents.
3. Describe key differences between the 2000 CDC BMI-for-Age Growth Charts and the 2022 CDC Extended BMI-for-Age Growth Charts.

The CDC clinical growth charts are available at https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/clinical_charts.htm.

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE MODULE

To read the text: 25–30 minutes

To read the text and complete the exercises: 35–40 minutes