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WHO Weight-for-Age Growth Chart (5-10 Years)

Plot your child's weight against WHO Growth Reference 2007 data for ages 5-10 years. Note: the WHO weight-for-age reference only extends to 10 years; for older children, use BMI-for-age.

LMS Method: Z = ((X/M)^L - 1) / (L x S)

How It Works

This calculator uses the WHO Growth Reference 2007 for monitoring weight in children aged 5 to 10 years. The WHO weight-for-age reference data only extends to 10 years (120 months) because after age 10, weight alone becomes less informative as children enter puberty and body composition changes significantly. For older children, BMI-for-age is recommended. The LMS method computes Z-scores and percentiles.

Example Problem

A 7-year-old boy weighs 22.9 kg. What is his weight-for-age percentile?

  1. Enter the child's date of birth and measurement date (7 years apart).
  2. Select 'Boy' for gender.
  3. Enter 22.9 kg for weight.
  4. The calculator finds the LMS parameters for boys at 84 months and computes the Z-score.
  5. Result: approximately the 50th percentile, as 22.9 kg is near the WHO median weight for boys at 7 years.

Key Concepts

Weight-for-age in the 5-10 year range bridges the gap between preschool and puberty. The WHO reference only extends to 10 years because pubertal body composition changes make weight-for-age less informative. For children approaching puberty, BMI-for-age provides a better assessment of weight status. The WHO Growth Reference 2007 differs from the WHO Child Growth Standards (0-5 years) — the 5-19 data is descriptive (based on historical data), while the 0-5 data is prescriptive (based on optimal growth).

Applications

  • Weight monitoring during the early school years
  • Identifying underweight or overweight in pre-pubertal children
  • Nutritional assessment in school health programs
  • International weight comparison using WHO reference
  • Complementary assessment alongside height-for-age and BMI-for-age

Common Mistakes

  • Using this chart for children over 10 — the WHO reference data ends at 10 years; use BMI-for-age instead
  • Using weight-for-age alone to assess obesity — BMI-for-age is better for body proportionality assessment
  • Confusing the WHO Growth Reference 2007 (5-19, descriptive) with the WHO Child Growth Standards (0-5, prescriptive)
  • Not considering that growth velocity slows in the 5-10 year period before the pubertal growth spurt
  • Not accounting for unit conversion between kg and lb

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this calculator only go to age 10?

The WHO weight-for-age reference data only extends to 10 years (120 months). After age 10, the WHO recommends using BMI-for-age instead, because weight alone becomes less informative as children enter puberty and body composition changes significantly.

Should I use kg or pounds?

You can use either unit. The calculator converts pounds to kilograms automatically. For the most accurate result, use the weight recorded at your pediatrician’s office.

How is this different from the WHO 0-5 year calculator?

The WHO 0-5 year calculator uses the WHO Child Growth Standards (prescriptive, based on healthy breastfed children). This 5-10 year calculator uses the WHO Growth Reference 2007, which is a descriptive reference based on historical data reconstructed from multiple sources. Both use the LMS method for percentile calculation.

What should I do for children older than 10?

For children and adolescents aged 5-19 years, use our WHO BMI-for-Age calculator, which accounts for both weight and height. The CDC 2-20 year weight-for-age chart is also available if you prefer US-based reference data.

Reference: WHO Growth Reference 2007. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/tools/growth-reference-data-for-5to19-years

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