Basics Print The Average Weight for an Adult Woman The average may not be a healthy weight in the United States Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Written by facebook Written by Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial policy Vincent Iannelli, MD Updated on May 05, 2019 JGI / Jamie Grill / Getty Images More in Weight Loss Basics Procedures Nutrition for Weight Loss Exercise for Weight Loss Diet Plans Medications Supplements When you're trying to determine a healthy weight for yourself, it may be helpful to know what the average woman weighs. However, just because a figure is an average, does not necessarily mean that it's a good target weight for you. In fact, adults in the United States are trending toward being overweight and obese, so it would be better to use other factors, such as body mass index (BMI), to give you a more accurate goal. The Average Weight for Women According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average weight for an adult woman (20 years old and older) in the United States is 168.5 pounds. This statistic is from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2011-2014. It is up from 162.9 pounds noted in the previous survey (2007–2010). The study also says that the average height for adult women is about 64 inches, or 5 foot 4 inches. The average waist circumference is 38 inches and the average body mass index (BMI) is 29.2, which is considered overweight. The BMI is a better gauge of most women's healthy weight range, though it's not perfect. It takes into account your height as well as your weight and is measured on a scale that includes underweight, normal weight, and overweight categories. A simple BMI calculator will help you find out where you're at and can be used periodically to track any weight loss goals you may have. Average Weight Worldwide When both men and women are factored into the equation, the adult population of North America has a higher average body mass than the rest of the world. One study notes that 73.9 percent of people in North America are considered overweight, compared to 34.7 percent of the world population. Region Average Adult Weight Asia 127 pounds Europe 156 pounds Africa 133 pounds Latin America/Caribbean 149 pounds North America 177 pounds Oceania 163 pounds World 136 pounds Average Weight Over Time How has the average weight of an adult woman changed over the years? Measurements of BMI, weight, height, and even head circumference have been measured since the 1960s. Not surprisingly, women in the United States have been getting bigger, both taller and weighing more. In the early 1960s, a report stated that "American men range in average weight from 146 pounds at 62 inches in height to 190 pounds at 73 inches; while for American women this average progresses from 129 pounds at 58 inches to 157 pounds at 67 inches." Average Weight for Girls The average weight for a girl depends on her age. According to the NHANES survey, the average weight for girls in the U.S. is: Age Average Weight 1 year 24.6 pounds 2 years 29.3 pounds 3 years 34.5 pounds 4 years 40.3 pounds 5 years 45.0 pounds 6 years 52.4 pounds 7 years 58.7 pounds 8 years 69.9 pounds 9 years 82.7 pounds 10 years 90.9 pounds 11 years 104.5 pounds 12 years 122.9 pounds 13 years 122.4 pounds 14 years 131.4 pounds 15 years 141.7 pounds 16 years 143.3 pounds 17 years 148.5 pounds 18 years 148.2 pounds 19 years 150.9 pounds Just as with adults, the average does not necessarily correlate with a healthy weight for girls. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five children is obese, which is evident in these national averages. A more accurate gauge for your child's weight and height is to use a kids growth chart. Comparing a child to the 50th percentile will give you a better idea of how her growth compares to the expected growth rate for girls her age. A Word From Verywell The average weight for women in any particular country can tell a lot about trends, but it should not be used as a gauge for your own weight. Individual factors will play a role in your personal ideal target weight and it's best to consult your physician, trainer, or nutritionist if you have any questions. Sources: Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fryar CD, Gu Q, Ogden CL. Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2007-2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 11, Number 252. 2012. Fryar CD. Gu Q, Ogden CL, Flegal KM. Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2011–2014. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Statistics. Series 3, Number 39. 2016. Roberts J. Weight by Height and Age of Adults: United States, 1960–1962. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Statistics. Series 11, Number 14. 1966. Walpole SC, et al. The Weight of Nations: An Estimation of Adult Human Biomass. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:439. Continue Reading