In this post, we look at the average weight for boys.
I made this average weight chart for boys in the year 2000. This was a time when doctors were still using pediatric growth charts from the 1970s.
So, when my chart was published on my website, it was new and unique and helpful.
Sometime afterwards, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated growth charts too, and that was a major milestone for them. My charts become obsolete … or so I thought … at first.
Hall’s Average Weight for boys Chart
Explanation of the Chart
At the top of the graph is the boy’s age and to the right is the weight in kilograms (or pounds).
The thicker red line in the middle is the 50th percentile, (or the average weight if you prefer), which indicates that 50% of the population of boys has a weight that is heavier than the line, and 50% of boys are lighter.
Likewise, the 95th percentile line, (the highest red line), indicates the weight where 95% of the population of boys are lighter.
Halls Weight Chart and CDC chart comparison
But then I gradually discovered that the CDC growth charts have a strange feature. They don’t show the weight of boys as they are now. The CDC show an idealized weight distribution that resembles the 1970’s.
I think they did this with good intentions. Back then, before TV and video games and before crime rose, children would have a lot more physical activity and actually played with each other outdoors.
On the other hand, my charts came from data from a 1988-1994 survey. Admittedly it’s considered somewhat old data now too, but it’s closer to modern reality.
So, this is where my charts retain some value. If you want to compare a boy’s weight to the 1970s, use the CDC chart. If you want to compare to the early 1990s, use my chart.
For an average height for Boys chart, click here.
Girl’s Charts
Girls, weight chart for girls and height chart for girls weight and height charts can be found here. See the chart index.
Men’s Height and Weight Charts
Charts for adults male height for men and weight for men charts are available here. These are also interesting, because they not only show the average height of a man, or average weight for men, they also show that adults have a considerably higher prevalence of being overweight and obesity than children.
The NHANES III survey is the data source for this chart, representing the USA population during 1988 to 1994. The CDC also used this dataset, and several older surveys, to construct the CDC standard pediatric growth charts.
Created by Steven B. Halls, MD, FRCPC and John Hanson, MSc.
Questions and Answers
My 16-year-old is 165 lbs and around the 65th percentile on your boy’s weight chart. He is 5 foot 10 inches. Should I be worried?
I have put your son’s height and weight through my ideal weight calculator, and it shows that 163 pounds is the average weight that those of the same height weight and gender as your son would say was their ideal weight.
Other factors are important too such as the percentage of body fat. You can see the formula for working out body fat percentage HERE. Waist circumference is an important indicator of a healthy weight too.
However, by the sound of it your son seems to be around the right weight percentile for his height. You could always make an appointment with your health care provider for a check-up if you are worried.
My son has started to lose weight. Should I be worried?
You can use this very good BMI healthy weight calculator for girls and boys. You enter your child’s birthday, gender, weight and height and the calculator will tell you if they are overweight or underweight. Although you can look at a height weight chart as well, if you’re child experiences sudden or dramatic weight loss or weight gain you should seek medical attention.
Other Posts about Body Mass Index and Weight and Height Charts
- Index of ALL our Height and Weight Articles
- Full Index of ALL our articles and Calculators on Body Mass Index
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