June 25, 2009 "Does Size Matter?"

We just had Parker’s 3 year well child check-up (a month late). His stats include a weight of 23 pounds and height of 35 inches. He’s still a tiny tot! I have to admit, I’m a little worried about his stunted size, even though I realize that kids who have Down Syndrome do tend to be on the small side. In fact, the average height for an adult male with Down Syndrome is 5 feet and ½ of an inch. Parker looks more like an 18-24 month old, so it surprises many that he is actually 3. He has 3 cousins, all little girls, all a year younger than him, and all bigger than he is. But I must note that he is actually barely on the “typical” growth chart at 5% for height and 3% for weight. I have a friend whose experience is on the other end of the spectrum. Her oldest son was 32 pounds and 32 inches at 1year old, and over 100% on the growth chart. He’s maintained that and is currently going into the 6th grade at over 5 feet and 3 inches.
There really aren’t any drawbacks to his size, there are actually a lot of perks! He’s been in size 3 diapers (16-28 pounds) for well over a year (we’re hoping to get him out of them by the end of the summer). We get the best use out of his clothes. He still fits perfectly in his crib and probably will for awhile which will help keep him confined while sleeping. And the best perk of all, he’s not too big to carry around, hold, and cuddle with.
So does size matter? It seems to. I’m always hearing too big, too small, too fat, too thin, too heavy, too this, too that… I really don’t think I ever hear anything like just right or perfectly fine. Just take a look at these two boys,  both in 7^th grade. I find it interesting that there is soooo much size variation between the middle school boys I teach. And even though it’s a physically developmental time in their lives, there is still a lot of teasing regarding stature, especially for those with small or short stature. And doesn’t this continue into adulthood?
The young girls I teach also face issues regarding size, but instead of height, it’s breast size and weight. There is less variation in height for adolescent girls. Adolescence for girls is a time when their bodies develop a shape, and it seems that for the most part, most girls are not happy, not satisfied, not comfortable with, not confident about the shape of their bodies. And again, this continues into adulthood. I know women who have had or talk of having breast augmentations as well as breast reductions, tummy tucks and liposuction.So is bigger really better? More height, bigger boobs, SUVs, huge homes, and enormous food portions? That’s the American way, right? But bigger really isn’t always better, as is seen with all the health risks associated with obesity. Size also matters, from early on into adulthood it seems to be a constant issue. Let’s all be a little easier on ourselves and one another, worry less, be more accepting, and celebrate the unique attributes each individual has. I’ll start by saying that Parker is the perfect size for him!