Final answer:
The CDC growth chart to assess if a child is underweight or overweight uses the measure of Weight for Stature. It compares a child's weight with their height. Growth patterns over time are crucial for identifying potential health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth chart that is used to determine if a child is underweight or overweight includes several measures. The correct option that plots a child's growth and is commonly used to assess if a child is underweight or overweight is Weight for Stature. This measure compares a child's weight to their height. For example, using Figure A3, The Length-Weight Relationship for American Boys and Girls, we can see that a boy who is 28 inches tall typically weighs 19 pounds, this relationship can be used along with the growth chart to determine a child's growth status.
During doctor visits, not only are the actual weight and length important but also the growth pattern over time. Babies who grow too slowly may be experiencing health problems or may be undernourished, which may lead to permanent deficits in size. Conversely, babies with a faster-than-normal increase in weight may be at risk of obesity later in life.