To prepare:
* Review the growth chart data provided on James’ Growth Chart
* Locate the corresponding growth charts on the CDC website and compare the child’s data to the clinical growth charts.
* Determine whether the child has a normal or abnormal growth based on the average growth rate. How would you appropriately record this in their growth charts?
* Consider your findings. What additional diagnostic tests or assessment tools should be used with the child? Why?
To complete:
* Describe the growth of each child as indicated in his or her Growth Chart
* Identify which clinical chart you used for each child.
Identify which charts indicate normal and abnormal growth. For each child with abnormal growth, describe the nature of the abnormality. Is the growth abnormally high or low? How extreme is the abnormality?
* Explain how you would appropriately record the developmental status of each child in the growth chart.
Analyze the implications for each child with abnormal growth. Identify at least one health condition or problem that could be the cause of the abnormality.
* Explain any additional diagnostic tests or assessment tools you would recommend. Justify why those tests and tools would be appropriate.
Write an explanation of the health issues and risks that are relevant to the child you selected. Describe additional information you would need in order to further assess his or her weight-related health. Taking into account the parents’ and caregivers’ potential sensitivities, list at least three specific questions you would ask about the child to gather more information. Provide at least two strategies you could employ to encourage the parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.
USE CURRENT RESOURCES NOT OLDER THAN 5 YEARS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Childhood overweight and obesity.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Clinical growth charts.
Analyzing Growth Charts
Health risks and issues
| Age (years) | Weight (kg) | Stature (cm) |
| 2 | 10 | 81 |
| 3 | 11.7 | 88 |
| 4 | 13.5 | 94.5 |
| 5 | 14.5 | 100.3 |
| 6 | 16.5 | 106.1 |
| 7 | 18.2 | 111.7 |
| 8 | 20.1 | 117.5 |
A normal child should have the above measurements according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A comparison to James’ weight and stature indicates that James is slightly underweight and he weighs 0.5 kg less in many cases. This should not be a major cause of concern although it warrants some attention (CDC, 2013). Rather than weighing less than recommended, it were better if he weighed a few more grams but not too much to avoid overweight and obesity. However, it is worth pointing out that the above measurements are based on the 3rd percentile, which denotes the weight or stature should be more if other percentiles are used. Therefore, it can be concluded that James is at the risk of becoming underweight. In this case, it is important to take measures that can promote weight and stature so as to ensure that the boy does not end up in the negative extremes.
Additional information for assessing the weight-related health
Some additional information that can assist in assessing weight-related health is the birth weight of the child and whether he has been suffering from any major condition (CDC, 2013). Knowing this can help determine if the boy has been doing well generally or the weight issues came about due to a particular condition. In addition, the child’s BMI can be calculated to determine how well off the child is.
Questions
What was James’ weight at birth?
Was James breastfed? For how long did he breastfeed?
What kinds of food is he fed on? Is there foods which he does not take?
Who normally feeds him, parent or caregiver?
Has James been suffering from any disease?
Strategies for promoting the weight and health
One of the strategies that can be used so as to ensure that the caregivers or parents are more proactive about the health and weight of the child is assessing the level of knowledge they have about better child feeding (CDC, 2013). The healthcare provider should first listen to what the parents know about good nutrition in children and later correct them while adding more information on the areas that were not mentioned. For example, the child should always take balanced meals with sufficient amounts of whole-grain products, fruits, and vegetables. Reasonable sizes should be served to the child all the times and snacks served between the main meals. Moreover, it is important to take adequate fluids and participate in physical exercise (CDC, 2013). The parents should avoid mixing various types of carbohydrates sources such as millet, sorghum, and maize with cereals as this can bind nutrients can result to poor growth.
Second, James should be part of the whole family’s mealtimes but should not be singled out. Small portions should be served to him in the beginning but it should be ensured that he is full in the end. This makes the child to enjoy his meals and be motivated to eat more as well as learn how to feed himself (CDC, 2013). His food should be made as pleasurable as possible with attractive colors. For example, rice can be served with green vegetable, carrots, and fresh mango juice. Moreover, instead of giving James junk food, he should be fed on fresh healthy and natural foods and fruits.
References
CDC. (2013). Childhood overweight and obesity.
CDC. (2013). A growing problem.