How Much Should A 13-Year-Old Weigh? The average weight for a 13-year-old boy is between 75 and 145 pounds, and for girls, it falls within the range of 76 to 148 pounds. The 50th percentile weight is around 100 pounds for boys and 101 pounds for girls. Keep in mind that anywhere within this healthy weight range is considered normal and not indicative of being underweight or overweight.
During puberty, kids will have growth spurts at various ages and gain muscle, fat, and bone as their bodies develop. Consequently, the range of “normal” weights, shapes, and sizes is very broad.
Read on to discover what factors affect the average weight of teenagers so that you can determine whether your child is within the healthy weight range for teens.
- What Is The Average Weight For A 13 Year Old Boy? (Kg and Lb)
- What Is The Average Weight For A 13 Year Old Girl? (Kg and Lb)
- How Much Should A 13 Year Old Weigh?
- What Is Underweight For A 13 Year Old?
- What Is Overweight For A 13 Year Old?
- What Factors Affect The Average Weight Of Teens?
- Average Height For 13 Year Olds
- BMI Percentile Chart
- Weight Percentiles For 13-Year-Olds
- Average Weight & Height By Age
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Average Weight For A 13 Year Old Boy? (Kg and Lb)
At 13, the average weight for boys (50th percentile for weight) is 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms or 7 stone 2 pounds). The healthy weight range for a 13-year-old boy is between 75 pounds (34kg) and 145 pounds (65.8kg).
What Is The Average Weight For A 13 Year Old Girl? (Kg and Lb)
The average weight for 13 year old female is 101 pounds (45.8 kilograms or 7 stone 3 pounds). The healthy weight range for a 13-year-old girl is between 76 pounds (34.5kg) and 148 pounds (67kg.)
You’ll notice that there is a wide range of standard body weights for boys and girls.
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How Much Should A 13 Year Old Weigh?
As a parent, you might be thinking “What is a normal weight for a 13 year old?” The answer depends on various factors such as genetics, developmental stage, sex, height, and body composition.
Understanding the healthy range for a 13-year-old kid allows parents and teens to set reasonable goals for their weight. It will help them determine whether they have a healthy weight status or if the child may be at risk of obesity or malnutrition.
BMI (Body Mass Index) will help you identify if your child is in the healthy weight range for their age.
BMI is calculated using a child’s gender, age, height, and weight.
You can calculate your child’s BMI using this percentile calculator for children, which will then give you an accurate measure and tell you if your child is underweight, at an ideal weight, at risk of being overweight, or is now overweight.
What Is Underweight For A 13 Year Old?
To know if a child is underweight, you would need to also look at their height.
A person’s height and weight play a role in determining his BMI (Body Mass Index).
An ideal BMI for a 13-year-old is between 15.4 and 22.8.
Taking all this information into account, a healthy weight would be found.
In the absence of height, it would be impossible to determine if your child is underweight.
You wouldn’t expect a child of 5’3″ to weigh the same as a child that is 6′ in height.
If the taller child were a healthy weight, the shorter child would be obese at the same weight.
Likewise, if the shorter child were the same weight as the taller child, the taller child would be highly underweight.
Having a BMI of less than 15.4 and weighing less than 75 pounds (35kg) could be considered underweight for a 13-year-old. See more age-related weight stats here.
If a child’s weight is outside the 5th or 85th percentile, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends seeking professional advice to determine if further evaluation is necessary.
What Is Overweight For A 13 Year Old?
It is best to use a pediatric chart or calculator that takes into account both the child’s age and height.
Teenagers who are overweight fall between the 85th and 95th percentile based on their BMI for their age.
An ideal BMI for a 13-year-old is between 15.4 and 22.8.
Having a child & teen BMI of more than 22.8 and weighing more than 132 pounds (60kg) could be considered overweight for a 13-year-old. See more BMI stats here.
It is, however, important to mention that most kids, both boys, and girls, tend to gain a little bit of weight right before they hit puberty and begin to grow rapidly.
Teens will grow on average about 4 inches per year for boys and 3 to 3.5 inches per year for girls during puberty, so it’s difficult to judge weight at this time. So it is sometimes best to trust the body of a healthy child who is active and does not have a history of obesity.
Also, consider how much muscle a child has, as well as their bone density. Boys with muscular builds will always weigh more than boys with slim builds. It is not always possible to determine a person’s health by the number on the scale alone.
A pediatrician can help determine if a child is overweight or at risk of being overweight.
Teens that fall into the overweight and obese categories may be at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or other weight-related health problems.
However, BMI is not always the most accurate measurement as it doesn’t consider muscle mass or other factors that affect weight, particularly muscle versus fat.
Measuring their waist circumference and calculating their waist-to-height, or waist to hip ratio is another way to determine possible health risks.
What Factors Affect The Average Weight Of Teens?
During adolescence, the body goes through numerous changes that affect a teenager’s weight. Several factors determine the average weight for a 13-year-old, including growth spurts, body composition, bone density, and muscle mass.
Environmental factors and cultural practices, such as physical activity levels, unhealthy habits, and screen time, also play a role. Healthcare providers use growth charts to track and analyze growth patterns, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide healthy weight ranges based on BMI percentiles.
1. Genetics
Genetics can play a significant role in determining the average weight of a 13-year-old. This is because genetic factors can influence the body’s composition, shape, and size, all of which can affect weight.
Family history is one major genetic factor that can influence weight. Children whose parents or siblings struggle with obesity are more likely to have a higher weight as well. Additionally, certain ethnic backgrounds can also affect body composition. For example, individuals from African American, Latino, and Pacific Islander backgrounds are more likely to have higher levels of body fat and a different distribution of fat compared to those from Asian or Caucasian backgrounds.
Besides genetics, other factors such as diet and exercise can also have an impact on weight. For instance, a 13-year-old with a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle may experience unhealthy weight gain, regardless of their genetic makeup. Therefore, it is vital to recognize that genetics can work in combination with environmental factors to influence healthy weight status.
2. Puberty and Rate of Development
During puberty, hormonal changes can have a significant impact on a 13-year-old’s weight. Testosterone levels increase in boys, leading to the development of more muscle mass and potentially an increase in weight. Conversely, girls experience an increase in estrogen levels, which can lead to the accumulation of more fat in the buttocks and thighs.
While hormonal changes can contribute to weight gain during puberty, they are not the sole factor. The increase in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) during puberty can lead to an increase in appetite, which can result in weight gain if not balanced with healthy eating habits and physical activity.
It is important to note that puberty can occur within a typical age range but varies individually. The age range for puberty is typically between 8 and 13 years old for girls and 9 and 14 years old for boys. However, each child’s body follows a unique timeline, and late or early onset puberty can impact the height and weight range of teenagers.
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3. Height
Height is an important aspect of growth and development during the teenage years. It is often seen as a marker of physical maturity and can also impact a person’s overall health and well-being.
During puberty, the surge of hormones can cause significant changes in height. Adolescents typically experience growth spurts, during which their bones and muscles rapidly grow, resulting in an increase in height. These growth spurts can last anywhere from two to three years and usually occur earlier in girls than in boys.
4. Muscle Mass
One factor that can significantly impact weight in 13-year-olds is muscle mass. Muscle, which is denser than fat, weighs more than fat tissue. Therefore, a 13-year-old with a higher amount of muscle mass will weigh more than one with the same amount of body fat.
Both muscle mass and bone density are essential components of achieving a healthy weight. The body mass index (BMI) formula is a common measurement used to determine whether a person is underweight, overweight, or at a healthy weight. BMI takes into account both weight and height, but it does not differentiate between muscle mass and body fat.
5. Diet
When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, a balanced diet is crucial not just for adults but also for 13-year-olds. Consuming a diet high in processed foods and sugary drinks while leading a sedentary lifestyle may be a significant risk factor for becoming overweight or obese.
To maintain a healthy weight, a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods is essential. Teenagers should consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods not only provide essential nutrients but also help keep them full for longer periods, reducing the chances of overeating.
6. Location
Location can have a significant impact on a child’s weight and height. Demographics, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors all play a crucial role in promoting healthy or unhealthy eating habits and physical activity levels in children.
Lower socioeconomic areas may face challenges in accessing healthy food options, with fast food and processed snacks being more affordable and culturally relevant foods being limited. This can make it difficult for families to maintain a healthy weight.
Environmental factors impact physical activity, such as schools cutting funding for P.E. and limited access to safe outdoor spaces.
7. Exercise and Physical Activity:
Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight. Different activities like sports or dancing can develop muscles and boost metabolism. Lack of exercise increases obesity risk. Meeting the recommended daily guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity prevents obesity and promotes overall health.
Regular physical activity can help 13-year-olds build muscle mass, boost their metabolism, and burn more calories even at rest. This is because exercise helps the body strengthen muscles, which in turn boosts metabolism. This can lead to burning more calories, even when not actively engaging in physical activity, which can help with weight management.
Average Height For 13 Year Olds
1. Average Height For 13 Year Old Boy
You can find the average height for a 13-year-old boy if you look at the 50th percentile for height in boys, which is 61.4 inches (156cm or 5.1 feet).
2. Average Height For 13-Year Old Female
The average height for a 13-year-old girl, if you look at the 50th percentile for height in girls, is 61.8 in. or 157 cm (5.15 feet.)
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BMI Percentile Chart
In the United States, the most common growth chart to measure children’s size and growth is the BMI-for-age percentile chart.
Based on expert committee recommendations, the following table shows BMI-for-age weight status categories and corresponding percentiles.
| Weight Status Category | Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Less than the 5th percentile |
| Healthy Weight | 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th to less than the 95th percentile |
| Obesity | Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile |
Weight Percentiles For 13-Year-Olds
The following tables show the weight percentile of 13-year-olds. A weight in the 50th percentile means that out of one hundred 13-year-old girls, 50 will weigh more while 50 will weigh less.
1. Various Weight Percentiles For Boys
| 5th percentile | 75 pounds |
| 10th percentile | 80 pounds |
| 25th percentile | 88 pounds |
| 50th percentile | 100 pounds – Average |
| 75th percentile | 116 pounds |
| 90th percentile | 133 pounds |
| 95th percentile | 145 pounds |
2. Various Weight Percentiles For Girls
| 5th percentile | 76 pounds |
| 10th percentile | 80 pounds |
| 25th percentile | 89 pounds |
| 50th percentile | 101 pounds – Average |
| 75th percentile | 116 pounds |
| 90th percentile | 135 pounds |
| 95th percentile | 148 pounds |
Average Weight & Height By Age
The following are average weight and height for children based on growth charts sourced from The World Health Organization. These represent an average estimate of teen weight and height but should be used with a BMI calculator for kids if you want to determine if your child is of a healthy weight for their age and height.
It is also important to remember that teenagers will have several growth spurts during these pubescent years. During this period, they will gain weight and then have a growth spurt, so measuring whether a child’s weight and height are on track can be difficult to judge.
The table below shows the average weight and height for teen boys 10-16 years of age in pounds/inches:
| Age | Average Weight Pounds | Average Height Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Yeard Old Boy | 70.5 lb | 54.5 inches |
| 11 Year Old Boy | 78.5 lb | 56.5 inches |
| 12 Year Old Boy | 88.0 lb | 58.7 inches |
| 13 Year Old Boy | 100 lb | 61.4 inches |
| 14 Year Old Boy | 112.0 lb | 64.5 inches |
| 15 Year Old Boy | 123.5 lb | 67.0 inches |
| 16 Year Old Boy | 134.0 lb | 68.3 inches |
The table below shows the average weight and height for teen boys 10-16 years of age in kgs/centimeters:
| Age | Average Weight Kg | Averge Height cm |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Yeard Old Boy | 32 kg | 138.4 cm |
| 11 Year Old Boy | 35.6 kg | 143.5 cm |
| 12 Year Old Boy | 39.9 kg | 149.1 cm |
| 13 Year Old Boy | 45.3 kg | 156.0 cm |
| 14 Year Old Boy | 50.8 kg | 163.8 cm |
| 15 Year Old Boy | 56 kg | 170.1 cm |
| 16 Year Old Boy | 60.8 kg | 173.4 cm |
Average Weight & Height For A 10-Year-Old
- The average weight for a 10 year old female is 70.5 lb (31.9 kg).
- The average height for a 10 year old girl is 54.5″ (138.4 cm).
- The average weight for a 10 year old male is 70.5 lb (32 kg).
- The average height for a 10 year old boy is 54.5″ (138.4 cm).
Average Weight & Height For A 11 Year Old
- The average weight for an 11 year old female is 81.5 lb (36.9 kg).
- The average height for an 11 year old girl is 56.7″ (144 cm).
- The average weight for an 11 year old male is 78.5 lb (35.6 kg).
- The average height for an 11 year old boy is 56.5″ (143.5 cm).
Average Weight & Height For A 12-Year-Old?
- The average weight for a 12 year old female is 91.5 lb (41.5 kg).
- The average height for a 12 year old girl is 59.0″ (149.8 cm).
- The average weight for a 12 year old male is 88.0 lb (39.9 kg).
- The average height for a 12 year old boy is 58.7″ (149.1 cm).
Average Weight & Height For A 14-Year-Old?
- The average weight for a 14 year old female is 105.0 lb (47.6 kg).
- The average height for a 14 year old girl is 62.5″ (158.7 cm).
- The average weight for a 14 year old male is 112.0 lb (50.8 kg).
- The average height for a 14year old boy is 64.5″ (163.8 cm).
Average Weight & Height For A 15-Year-Old.
- The average weight for a 15 year old female is 115.0 lb (52.1 kg).
- The average height for a 15 year old girl is 62.9″ (159.7 cm).
- The average weight for a 15 year old male is 123.5 lb (56.0 kg).
- The average height for a 15 year old boy is 67.0″ (170.1 cm).
Average Weight & Height For A 16-Year-Old.
- The average weight for a 16 year old female is 118.0 lb (53.5 kg).
- The average height for a 16year old girl is 64.0″ (162.5 cm).
- The average weight for a 16 year old male is 134.0 lb (60.8 kg).
- The average height for a 16 year old boy is 68.3″ (173.4 cm).
The table below shows the average weight and height for teen girls 10-16 years of age in pounds/inches:
| Age | Average Weight Pounds | Average Height Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Yeard Old Girl | 70.5 lb | 54.5 inches |
| 11 Year Old Girl | 81.5 lb | 56.7 inches |
| 12 Year Old Girl | 91.5 lb | 59.0 inches |
| 13 Year Old Girl | 101 lb | 61.8 inches |
| 14 Year Old Girl | 105.0 lb | 62.5 inches |
| 15 Year Old Girl | 115.0 lb | 62.9 inches |
| 16 Year Old Girl | 118.0 lb | 64.0 inches |
The table below shows the average weight and height for teen girls 10-16 years of age in kgs/centimeters:
| Age | Average Weight Kg | Average Height Cm |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Yeard Old Girl | 31.9 kg | 138.4 cm |
| 11 Year Old Girl | 36.9 kg | 144 cm |
| 12 Year Old Girl | 41.5 kg | 149.8 cm |
| 13 Year Old Girl | 45.8 kg | 157.0 cm |
| 14 Year Old Girl | 47.6 kg | 158.7 cm |
| 15 Year Old Girl | 52.1 kg | 159.7 cm |
| 16 Year Old Girl | 53.5 kg | 162.5 cm |
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Frequently Asked Questions
As A Parent, How Can You Talk To Your Teen About Eating Disorders?
Be aware that eating disorders are becoming more prevalent among teenagers.
First, take your child seriously when they talk about their feelings. Secondly, educate yourself on the warning signs of anorexia and bulimia.
Finally, make it a priority to establish healthy habits early on by encouraging your children to eat more nutritious foods and find an active hobby they enjoy.
This will empower them to make good choices for themselves throughout their lives.
How Can A 13 Year Old Lose Belly Fat?
A 13-year-old can lose belly fat by making wise lifestyle changes.
It is recommended to start with one hour of moderate exercise per day, five days a week.
In addition to exercise, they should be eating nutritious meals. Replace fast processed food with healthy snacks is essential.
If you’ve never spoken about this before, your child might be feeling anxious about their body, or more likely, is just not educated on maintaining a healthy weight. There are many ways you can help your child get in good shape and feel good about themselves.
Right now, the main thing is education and support. You don’t want to put too much pressure on them yet. If they need help, direct them to a doctor or nutritionist for professional help.
At the end of the day, your child should be healthy and happy, and those are the two most important factors.
