The average weight for men and women depends on several factors, including their age and height.
Maintaining a proper weight is essential for overall health and well-being. It lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer.
This article focuses on the average weight of men and women. It also depicts how to determine a healthy weight for men and women. Plus, how weight varies according to the country, height, and age.
Average Weight For Men And Women Worldwide:
The average body weight of a human being differs significantly from country to country. It’s mainly due to the local living conditions and overall environment.
For example, North Americans as a whole are heavier on average than people from any other region in the world.
Asian people are the lightest, on average, compared to other countries. The average weight for men and woman combined by world region are as follows:
World Region | Average Weight In Pounds |
Africa | 133.5 |
Asia | 126.9 |
Europe | 155.8 |
Latin America and the Caribbean | 149.4 |
North America | 177.5 |
Oceania | 163 |
World | 136.4 |
Calculate Ideal Weight Using Body Mass Index:
A person’s ideal body weight depends on the height, build, age, muscle to fat ratio, gender, and bone density.
The most frequently used technique for determining a healthy weight is the Body Mass Index or BMI. Height and weight measurements are used to estimate the proportion of body fat in an individual.
BMI indicates whether a person is overweight or underweight based on their height.
Anyone who knows their weight and height can calculate their BMI using the online calculator.
BMI can also be calculated manually by using one of the following methods:
- Metric: Weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, or kg/m2.
- Imperial: Weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared and multiplied by 703, or lbs/inches2 x 703.
BMI is measured differently for children and teenagers. However, for adults aged 20 and older, a BMI:
- 18.5 to 24.9 falls under the healthy weight category.
- Below 18.5 is underweight.
- 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.
- The above 30 are categorized as obese.
Based on BMI 18.5 to 24.9, the below chart gives a rough indication to the ideal weight for an average adult man and woman of a certain height:
Height(Feet And Inches) | Healthy Weight(Pounds) |
4’10” | 91–119 |
4’11” | 94–123.5 |
5’ | 97–127.5 |
5’1” | 100–132 |
5’2” | 104–136 |
5’3” | 107–140.5 |
5’4” | 110–145 |
5’5” | 114–149.5 |
5’6” | 118–154 |
5’7” | 121–159 |
5’8” | 125–164 |
5’9” | 128–168.5 |
5’10” | 132–173.5 |
5’11” | 136–178.5 |
6’ | 140–183.5 |
6’1” | 144–189 |
6’2” | 148–194 |
6’3” | 152–199 |
However, BMI tends to overestimate or underestimate body fat in specific groups of people. For instance, at the same BMI:
- On average, men have less body fat than women.
- White people, on average, have extra body fat than black people.
- On average, Asian people have additional body fat than white people.
A high BMI can also be an indication of a person being lean or muscular, such as in the case of an athlete. That’s because muscle is much denser than body fat.
BMI can also undervalue body fat in older people or those who have bone mass or lost muscle. Use a BMI calculator to know your BMI.
Ideal Waist-To-Hip Ratio:
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is one of several indicators your doctor can use to see if you’re overweight.
WHR measures waist circumference ratio to your hip circumference. It determines how much fat is accumulated on your waist, buttocks, and hip.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a WHR ratio of 0.9 or less for men and 0.85 or less for women is considered safe (1).
For both men and women, the risk of heart disease and other issues associated with being overweight rises abruptly with a WHR of 1.0 or higher (2).
The waist-to-hip ratio might not be the most accurate metric for some groups of people, including children and people with a BMI above 35.
Average American Male Weight By Age:
The average American man, aged 20 and over, weighs 197.6 pounds. The average height is 69.1 inches (about 5 feet, 9 inches) tall.
The average waist circumference is 102.1 cm(40.2 inches).
For man, the average weight by age group as follows:
Age Group In Years | Average Weight In Pounds |
20–39 | 196.9 |
40–59 | 200.9 |
60 and older | 194.7 |
Over time, American men are increasing in both stature and weight. In the 1960s, the average man weighed about 166.3 pounds and stood at 68.3 inches (almost over 5 feet 8 inches) tall (3).
Average American Female Weight By Age:
The average American woman aged 20 and over, weighs 170.6 pounds. The average waist circumference is 98.044 cm (38.6 inches).
The average height is 63.7 inches (about 5 feet, 4 inches) tall.
When broken down by age group, the average weights for American women are as follows:
Age Group In Years | Average Weight In Pounds |
20-39 | 167.6 |
40-59 | 176.4 |
60 and older | 166.5 |
American women are also reporting an increase in height and weight over time. In the 1960s, the average woman weighed 140.2 pounds and was 63.1 inches tall (4).
Health Risks Of Being Overweight Or Obese:
In a specific group of people, the average weight is not the same as a healthy weight.
If the average American man weighs 200.1 pounds and stands 5 feet 4 tall, then his BMI is 34.34. That puts him solidly in the obese category.
Excess of weight or obese puts a person at higher risk of developing:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Heart disease.
- Gallbladder disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Some types of cancer.
- Sleep apnea.
According to the study from 2013-2016, It’s estimated that 74.6% of men and 67.4% of women in the US were overweight or obese based on their BMI. These statistics were just 60.9 and 51.4% for 1988–1994 (5, 6).
Increasing trends of body weight have also been observed in other developed nations.
Achieving And Maintaining An Ideal Body Weight:
It is usually recommended that a person with a BMI of over 30 must start the weight loss process. People with a BMI score between 25 and 29.9 should prevent additional weight gain. However, they should also make an effort to lose weight if they have the following risk factors:
- Family history of diabetes or heart disease.
- A waist circumference above 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women.
- High blood pressure.
- High LDL or low HDL cholesterol.
Losing even a little weight can undoubtedly improve overall health. This will reduce the risk of developing disorders.
Health professionals can guide you on your journey towards a healthy weight. They may also provide a weight loss plan or access to other professional resources.
Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Body Weight:
Set Realistic And Attainable Goals:
“Eat Less, And Exercise More” is a very vague statement.
Eating less will negatively affect your body. Run 20 miles every day or lose 20 pounds each week might sound unrealistic.
An average woman needs to eat around 2000 calories per day to maintain, and 1600 calories to lose one pound of weight per week (7).
An average man needs about 2500 calories to maintain, and 2000 to lose one pound of weight in a week (8).
It is not required to eat more, but the level of nutrition has to be maintained.
Walking for 30 minutes every day or losing 1 to 2 pounds a week, would be practical goals.
Exercise Regularly:
Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. The exercise should increase the heart rate and cause sweating.
Swimming, cycling, brisk walking, running, and dancing are all examples of appropriate alternative or extra activities. If possible, an individual should target for 60–120 minutes of exercise a day.
Reduce Food Portions:
Replace your large meal plates with smaller ones, and you will eat less. You can also try replacing half of a healthy meal with fruit and vegetables.
Additionally, cutting about 500 calories per day from your typical diet can help you lose about a pound a week. Losing weight slowly can help you understand healthy eating habits and avoid the feared yo-yo effect.
Eat Healthy And Stay Healthy:
To keep yourself in the best shape possible, it’s essential to eat a healthy diet. Those who want to lose weight should focus on eating more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
They should aim to eat lean meats and get protein from healthier sources, including poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
Eating healthy also means avoiding foods with high amounts of added salt and sugar.
What’s The Takeaway?
Being slim doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Eating well, staying hydrated, exercising, and getting the right amount of sleep are all important, no matter your size or shape.
If you want to shed a few pounds, start by setting a realistic goal with your dietician or doctor. You may also determine the appropriate BMI or weight for your frame. From there, create a weight loss plan with the help of your doctor and set goals that you can work to achieve them.