What is the average weight for women?

American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 170.8 pounds (lbs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 170.8 pounds (lbs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
While these numbers may be the average, they are not a measure of health. One of the commonly used indicators of well being is a person’s BMI, which stands for body mass index.
BMI
The BMI of the average woman in the U.S. is 29.8 which falls into the category of “overweight.”
29.8
overweight
In this article, we explore what the ideal weight range is for women, how can they best measure it, and what they can do to achieve their ideal weight.
ideal weight
Average weight and obesity rates worldwide
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The following table shows the weight data for different countries:
following
In a 2015 review, the U.S. also had the highest rate of childhood obesity out of the world’s 20 most populated countries, with a rate of 12.7 percent, although Egypt topped the table for adults at 35.3 percent.
2015 review
What is the ideal weight range for women?
An “ideal weight” is where a person is at their healthiest and fittest in terms of what they weigh. There is a variety of different ways to calculate ideal weight ranges:
BMI is the most commonly used system for calculating ideal weight range, as it is relatively easy to work out. An individual can work out their BMI by applying their height and weight to the following formula:
following formula
divide weight in kilograms by height in meters
divide the answer by height again
For those people more familiar with using imperial measurements, there are various online calculators for working out BMI scores.
online calculators
BMI calculations are the same for men and women, and BMI is seen as correlating fairly well with a person’s percentage of body fat.
correlating fairly well
Despite this, BMI can give a false picture, as muscle weighs more than fat. This is the case in certain populations, like elite athletes and bodybuilders.
elite athletes
Also, the appropriateness of BMI as a marker of body fat may vary across race and ethnic groups.
may vary
One study also criticizes BMI for underestimating the prevalence of obesity in both sexes and being increasingly inaccurate as women age.
One study
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, BMI ranges are as follows:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Fat is spread around a person’s body but not all types of fat are equal.
The fat that can build up around someone’s midsection and turn into a beer belly or love handles can indicate a higher risk for related diseases that have potential to do harm to a person’s body.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that fat around the midsection is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death.
World Health Organization (WHO)
heart attack
stroke
Furthermore, it says calculating a person’s waist-to-hip ratio is a better indicator of their fat distribution and disease implications than BMI is.
A person can work out their waist-to-hip ratio by dividing their waist measurement by their hip measurement.
Women should keep their waist circumference at 80 centimeters (cm) or 31.5 inches or less, according to the WHO. Anything more is associated with an increased risk of related health problems, as follows:
WHO
Body fat percentage is another way of calculating a person’s ideal weight. Unlike BMI, it differentiates between how much of a person’s weight is lean tissue and how much is fat.
In theory, body fat percentage is a good way of measuring ideal weight. Some accurate ways to measure body fat percentage include DXA scans (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry).
DXA scans
Nonetheless, the American Council on Exercise proposes the following body fat guidelines for women:
American Council on Exercise
Weight and other factors
A woman’s BMI and waist-to-hip ratio can help decide what is a healthy weight. But there are other factors to consider when finding what the ideal weight is for women.
Research shows that when people age, the amount of fat in their bodies increases while their muscle decreases. This means that people who want to stay lean may have to work harder on their diets and exercise when they get older compared to when they were younger.
Research
Since BMI takes into account both height and weight, people who have the same BMI score but are of different heights will weigh different amounts.
Here’s how a healthy BMI range translates to different weights at different heights:
different weights at different heights
Weight management tips
Below are seven ways in which women can try to reach or maintain their ideal weight.
1. Do high-intensity interval training
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves circuits of exercises that use the maximum effort a person can manage. Each of these is followed by a cooldown period and then repeated.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
Doing sprints in intervals is an example of HIIT.
Some research suggests that HIIT might fight fat in a variety of ways. It may also improve how the body handles blood glucose.
research
2. Cut out processed foods
As well as being less healthful than freshly prepared foods, processed foods are often laden with calories in the form of sugar and fat. Cutting out all processed foods is a great way to reduce calorie intake.
processed foods
calories
reduce calorie intake
3. Stay physically active
Staying active burns calories and positively alters a person’s metabolism, helping them to maintain an ideal weight.
The U.S. government recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This target might include brisk walking or playing tennis. Alternatively, they can choose 75 minutes of vigorous exercise every week, examples being jogging or continuous swimming.
150 minutes
brisk walking
swimming
4. Try intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting, also known as time restricted eating, refers to a person doing all their daily eating within a restricted time window, such as within 8 hours.
Intermittent fasting
Some research has found that periodic fasting may help to promote weight loss and reduce insulin resistance.
research
5. Try a ketogenic diet
A ketogenic diet involves eating very few carbohydrates and utilizing fat-rich foods as the primary energy source.
ketogenic diet
carbohydrates
Various studies show that a ketogenic diet may control hunger and cause the body to burn more fat than a standard diet.
studies
6. Reduce portion sizes
Reducing portion sizes is one of the easiest ways a person can consume less calories in a day. Simply eating off a smaller plate can do the trick.
a smaller plate
7. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and may help to stave off hunger pangs. Sometimes, people can mix signals of thirst for those of hunger and have a snack when a glass of water would be satisfying.
may help
Frequently asked questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about the average American woman’s weight.
American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 170.8 pounds (lbs), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute BMI calculator, a normal weight for a woman who is 5 foot 4 inches is between 108 – 145 pounds (lbs).
BMI calculator
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute BMI calculator, a woman who is 5 foot 7 inches should weigh between 118 – 159 pounds (lbs).
BMI calculator
Summary
Many motivations might fuel a woman striving to achieve their ideal weight, including personal beauty standards, athletic performance, and health.
Weight issues and obesity are significant problems in the U.S. Although not perfect, measures including BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio can help a woman better understand her weight.
If people feel their weight is a health risk, or they have worries, such as raised blood pressure, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor.
blood pressure
Moderate and intense exercise, portion control, and occasional fasting, among other things, can help encourage weight loss.