Growth monitoring of individuals and growth surveillance of populations are 2 very different tools and need to be distinguished from one another. Individual monitoring is an invaluable tool for the detection of early undernourishment since malnutrition is not readily visible without an objective measurement. It is important to catch malnutrition at an early stage and to prevent further harm. It is also important for the mothers to understand the value of growth monitoring and of nutrition. In the 70s the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi followed the weights and illnesses of children under 5. Currently there are a few programs in India which utilize growth monitoring: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS); the Tamil Nadu Integrated Nutrition Project (TINP) and the Child in Need Institute (CINI). Successful growth monitoring must include a growth card comprehension of the growth card by the mother an active and motivated health worker weighing scales that are accurate durable and easy to repair adequate training for the health workers supportive and educative supervision back-up health care support and active community participation.