The New WHO Growth Standards

Abstract

The new World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards were created with the intention of producing globally applicable growth standards that describe the growth of children as it occurs under optimal nutritional conditions and in the absence of external constraints. In other words, it represents childhood growth as it should be. Children in six countries living in favorable circumstances provided data for the new charts. In addition, data for some subjects at the extremes of weight for height were excluded. The new WHO growth standards, not unexpectedly, differ from other growth charts in a number of ways. Because of the many differences, only a few general statements can be made. (1) During the first 6 months of life, WHO weight and length at all percentiles are larger than weight and length by any other chart. (2) During the second 6 months of life, and continuing through the 2nd year of life, WHO weight (but not length) is lower than weight by other charts. (3) Between 2 and 5 years of age, WHO weight tends to be at the lower end of the spectrum, especially at the lower percentiles, whereas Euro-Growth occupies the top end for weight at all percentiles. (4) Functional assessment shows that the WHO charts identify fewer 1- to 2-year-olds as underweight and more 2- to 5-year-olds as overweight than other charts.