What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Boys 2 to 18: Stature for Age, Weight for Age Percentiles
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Girls 2 to 18: Stature for Age, Weight for Age Percentiles
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Child and Teen BMI
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Growth Charts
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Adult BMI
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Growth Charts for Determining Normal Teen Weight
With obesity rates in teens rising, you may wonder how your teen's weight compares to normal weight ranges. The growth charts serve as a tool to provide an idea of average weights for teen boys and girls, but remember that these charts may not fit your child's exact needs. If you're concerned about your teen's weight, consult his doctor to discuss his individual growth chart and growth pattern.
About Growth Charts for Teens
Powered by good nutrition, sleep and regular exercise, normal growth is one indicator of good health in teens. Weight-for-age and body mass index are two growth charts used to assess teen weight.
While these charts indicate what's considered a normal weight for a teen based on his age, genetics play a major role in determining your teen's growth pattern. You may get a better indication of health by looking at the trend in his growth instead of a spot on a chart that indicates your teen's weight.
- Powered by good nutrition, sleep and regular exercise, normal growth is one indicator of good health in teens.
- While these charts indicate what's considered a normal weight for a teen based on his age, genetics play a major role in determining your teen's growth pattern.
Normal Weight for Age Charts
How Can Kids From the Ages of 12 to 13 Lose Weight?
Learn More
The weight-for-age growth chart is used to determine how your teen's weight compares to other teens her age using a percentile rank. A weight between the 5th and 95th percentile is considered within the healthy or "normal" range. You will find separate growth charts for boys and girls 5. A 13-year-old, whether boy or girl, who weighs 100 pounds falls at about the 50th percentile for age, the middle of the normal range of weights. A healthy weight range for a 13-year-old ranges from 75 to 147 pounds. For a 16-year-old boy, a normal weight-for-age is 103 to 185 pounds, and a girl the same age can weigh from 95 to 172 pounds.
- The weight-for-age growth chart is used to determine how your teen's weight compares to other teens her age using a percentile rank.
- For a 16-year-old boy, a normal weight-for-age is 103 to 185 pounds, and a girl the same age can weigh from 95 to 172 pounds.
BMI Charts for Assessing Weight
When it comes to weight and health, the BMI chart may be a better tool. The BMI is a mathematical equation used to estimate body fatness based on height and weight. The BMI number is then plotted on a percentile chart that's based on age and gender. A normal weight falls between the 5th and 85th percentile.
To estimate your teen's BMI: [weight in pounds / (height in inches x height in inches)] x 703.
So, for example, a 16-year old boy who weighs 129 pounds at 5 feet, 9 inches tall has a BMI equal to 19.0. That number is then plotted on a gender-specific BMI-for-age growth chart and indicates that his BMI falls at the 25th percentile, and his weight is considered normal.
A 5-foot tall, 13-year-old girl who weighs 145 pounds has a BMI equal to 28.3, which falls at greater than the 95th percentile and is considered obese. A 115-pound 13-year-old girl at the same height has a BMI equal to 22.5, which falls at the 85th percentile and is considered normal weight.
- When it comes to weight and health, the BMI chart may be a better tool.
- That number is then plotted on a gender-specific BMI-for-age growth chart and indicates that his BMI falls at the 25th percentile, and his weight is considered normal.
Weight and Teens
The Average Weight & Height for a 13-Year-Old
Learn More
Instead of focusing on your teen's weight, encourage healthy habits that promote a normal weight. Make exercise a regular part of your teen's routine. Turn off the TV and go for a walk or a bike ride together. Take a dance or karate class.
Diet is also important for teenagers. Make efforts to eat dinner as a family, to connect with your teen and enjoy a healthy meal together.
- Instead of focusing on your teen's weight, encourage healthy habits that promote a normal weight.
Related Articles
How Can Kids From the Ages of 12 to 13 Lose Weight?
Learn More
The Average Weight & Height for a 13-Year-Old
Learn More
The Average Weight and Height for a 12-Year-Old
Learn More
How Tall is the Average 10-Year-Old Boy?
Learn More
How Much Should a Woman Who Is 5'8 Weigh?
Learn More
Healthy Weight Calculator for Girls
Learn More
What is the Average Weight Of A 9-Year-Old?
Learn More
How to Use a Balance Beam Scale
Learn More
How Much Should a Man Weigh?
Learn More
What is the Average Weight for a 13-Year-Old?
Learn More
References
- KidsHealth: Growth and Your 13- to 18-Year Old
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Boys 2 to 18: Stature for Age, Weight for Age Percentiles
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Girls 2 to 18: Stature for Age, Weight for Age Percentiles
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Child and Teen BMI
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Growth Charts
- HealthChildren.org: How to Read a Growth Chart: Percentiles Explained
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Adult BMI
- Flynn J, Kaelber D, Baker-smith C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2017;140(3) doi:10.1542/peds.2017-1904
- Bell C, Samuel J, Samuels J. Prevalence of Hypertension in Children. Hypertension. 2019;73(1):148-152. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11673
- Shypailo RJ. Baylor College of Medicine, Children's Nutrition Research Center, Body Composition Laboratory. Age-based pediatric blood pressure reference charts and pediatric BP calculator. 2018
- Riley M, Hernandez A, Kuznia A. High blood pressure in children and adolescents.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(8):486-494.
- Dasgupta, K, O'Loughlin, J, Chen, S, et al. Emergence of sex differences in the prevalence of high systolic blood pressure: analysis of a longitudinal adolescent cohort. Circulation 2006; 114:2663.
- DHHS, PHS, NIH, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Update on the Task Force Report (1987) on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: A Working Group Report from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. NIH Publication 96-3790; 1996; 7-9.
- Lurbe, E, Sorof, JM, Daniels, SR. Clinical and research aspects of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in children. J Pediatr 2004; 144:7.
- Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.
- Rosner, B, Prineas, RJ, Loggie, JM, Daniels, SR. Blood pressure nomograms for children and adolescents, by height, sex, and age, in the United States. J Pediatr 1993; 123:871.
Writer Bio
Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and lecturing on diet and health for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Diabetes Self-Management and in the book "Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation," edited by John R. Bach, M.D. Corleone holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.