Average Weight for Women: What is Healthy for Your Age and Height?

To help determine a healthy weight for yourself, knowing the average weight of women in America based on factors like age and height can often serve as a baseline comparison. However, just because a certain range is an average does not necessarily mean that it's the right target weight for you. Health looks different for every individual and a variety factors contribute to weight, including genetics, age, height, body composition, environment, diet, lifestyle, metabolism, and more.

With that in mind, here's the average weight for U.S. women based on data from the Centers for Disease and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Plus, lifestyle tips that can be helpful in promoting general health regardless of body size or numbers on the scale.

Average Weight for Adult Women

The number on a scale is not always the best indicator in determining whether or not you are at a healthy weight. Other factors, such as your body mass index (BMI), can give additional insight into your weight.

Your BMI takes into account your height and weight and is measured on a scale that includes underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. This BMI calculator provides an estimate.

Average Weight for Women in the U.S.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average weight of a U.S. woman aged 20 years and older is 170.6 pounds with an average height of about 5 feet, 4 inches tall. In addition, the average waist circumference is 38.6 inches and BMI is 29.2, which falls within the overweight range.

These statistics are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2015-2018. The national average is up from 168.5 pounds as noted in the previous survey (2011-2014). The chart below shows the average weight for adult women in the U.S. according to different age groups.

Global Average Weight for Women

When both men and women are factored into the equation, the adult population of North America has a higher average BMI than the rest of the world. One study notes that 73.9% of people in North America are considered overweight, compared with 34.7% of the world population. Here's a closer look at the average weight for adult women in different regions of the world.

Average Weight for Girls

As with adults, the average weight for girls does not necessarily correlate to the range considered to be healthy. According to the CDC, one in five children falls within the obesity category, which is evident in the national averages listed below. Here are the average weights at each age for girls.

Weight Averages Over Time

How has the average weight and body composition of adults in the U.S. changed over the years? Measurements of BMI, weight, height, and even head circumference have been taken since the 1960s.

For instance, one research report published in 1966 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."

While the weight of an average woman in any country can tell you a lot about weight trends, it should not be used as the only gauge for assessing your current weight and overall health. Several factors play a role in your ideal target weight.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Remember that you can be healthy at any size, especially if you prioritize healthy lifestyle factors such as:

• Follow a balanced diet filled with nutrient-dense, whole foods.
• Get regular exercise and focus on moving more throughout your day and sitting less.
• Talk to a healthcare provider if you're concerned about whether you might be overweight or underweight. They may refer you to a registered dietitian or nutritionist or recommend that you work with a personal trainer to help meet your health goals.