Girls growth chart and average weight for girls

Girls don’t just simply decide to hate their bodies, we teach them to.

Many girls, especially in the teenage years, worry about their weight. This statement is based on sound, scientific research, and with the non-stop digital stream promoting images of stick-thin models, it is hardly surprising.

In fact, one large UK research study conducted by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) examined 7,000 adolescents aged 13 years old.

Shockingly, the study found that the following feelings and behaviors were common in girls at just 13 years old:-

“ … extreme levels of fear of weight gain, avoidance of fattening foods,
and distress about weight and shape”

Interestingly, for these young people, concerns about weight and size, binge eating and weight control behaviors, such as avoiding fatty foods and dieting, actually predicted a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) two years later.

Could these early preoccupations with body image and weight be an early predictor for obesity and an endless round of yo-yo dieting and weight gain in adulthood?

I’ll do statistics and I will even do algebra, but graphing is where I draw the line!

What is the Average weight for Girls?

These Growth Chart for girls show the average weight for girls according to their age.

The aim of this post is to show girls the average weight using realistic and scientific information. This weight chart should serve to reassure both parents and girls alike.

Created by Steven B. Halls, MD, FRCPC and John Hanson, MSc.

How to read the average weight for girls chart.

Most parents will be familiar with percentiles from monitoring your babies height and weight chart, head circumference and baby length measurements during the first year from that new baby birth weight.

The red lines show the percentiles. The thick red line in the middle of the weight chart is the 50^th percentile.

This middle red line, indicates that 50% of the population of girls have a weight heavier than the line and 50% have a weight lighter than average.

Similarly, the highest red line, the 95^th percentile line, indicates a weight where 95% of girls weigh less.

What is the average weight for a girl aged 10?

From the chart above, it is showing about 73 pounds.

Girls weight charts according to ethnicity.

To get an accurate reading to see how you or your child compare to others, then race and ethnicity need to be taken into consideration.

However, as we have seen inaccurate perceptions of weight and body image can lead to an increased risk of obesity in later life so it is important to compare with girls of the same race and ethnicity.

What is the average weight for a girl of 5’6″ or around 167 cm?

Tricky question. To get a true average weight we also need the girl’s age and weight percentile. It takes two steps, so let me explain …

# Step 1.

Firstly you will need to find out what percentile your child is according to the height charts. Below you will find the average height for girls charts:-

White: Average height for girls chart
Black: Average height for girls chart
Hispanic: Average height for girls chart
Other: Average height for girls chart

So, for our example of the five foot six inch girl visit one of the height charts listed above.

Visit the girls height chart (for white ethnicity). Five foot six inches tall is about 66 inches. The green line on the height chart below illustrates that the height of 66 inches at age 16 years, is slightly below the 75^th percentile line, so let’s say it’s 70^th percentile.

OK, so yes, this 16 year old is taller than average, at the 70^th percentile.

# Step 2.

Next, return to the Weight chart on this page and follow Age 16 up to the 70^th percentile, then across to the weight (as shown in the chart below). You will see that the result is about 148 pounds.

Thank-you. But that is very complicated.

Too hard for me. Have you got an easier way Doc?

Of course. You can find out your own, or your child’s, weight percentile using my very own Body Mass Index calculator.

So, let me explain: If I enter into the Body Mass Index Calculator; 148 pounds, 5’6″, age 16, it says the weight result is at 68^th percentile, which is about right.

Charts, charts and more charts

Charts for Boys

The average weight for boys: Identical to this page and very useful in helping you find out how your son’s weight and height compares to other boys aged 1 to 17 years old.
Average height for boys: How tall or short is your boy compared to others of the same age and ethnicity? See the charts featuring typical growth spurt for age.
Full list of children’s height and weight charts.
Ideal body weight Calculator: This is a quick and easy way of finding out what others consider an ideal weight for your age, height and gender. Simply enter your child weight and height, age and sex to get an ideal or healthy weight reading.

Charts for the Ladies

Charts for the Gentlemen

The data source for these charts is the NHANES III survey, conducted in America between 1988 and 1994. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC used this dataset, as well as datasets from several older surveys, to construct the CDC standard pediatric growth charts.

Questions and Answers

My 3 year old daughter is on the 80^th percentile for height but only the 50^th for weight. Should I be worried?

From our charts your daughter should be around 16 kg or around 32 pounds. If she it at the 50 ^th percentile for weight then she is around 14 kg or 30 pounds.

This is nothing to worry about at all. As we have seen she is around average weight for her age, with half the girl population been lighter and half heavier. However, she is taller than average for her age with only 20% of the girl population taller than her.

These height weight charts are a useful indicator to how your child compares to others of the same age and ethnicity. However, specific figures or trying to reach targets are not something to aspire to. The height and weight charts are more for health experts to see the general growth pattern for your child.

Some children will have a rapid growth spurt after the age of three whilst others may have a catch-up growth spurt much later.

You should be more worried if the height percentile is at the 50^th and the weight percentile is at the 80^th

My 11 year old daughter already weighs 60 kg and is only 140 cm tall. What can we do?

Even though the CDC charts do tend to over-exaggerate how many people are overweight, I have worked out that the BMI of your daughter is 30.6 and she is in the 98^th percentile for her weight. This means that only 2% of the girls population are heavier at that age.

Waist circumference measurements, even in children, can also be a good indicator of overall health and highlight health risks for the future.

This is not a healthy weight range for your daughter and you all, as a family, will need to think of some lifestyle changes. It may be a good idea to discuss your daughter’s weight with your family physician.

Children, with the constant addiction to screen-time do not get as much physical activity as years ago. I would start some healthy, regular exercise time for all the family such as swimming, cycling, walking etc.

I am not in total agreement with a child diet per-se but rather think about modifying the whole family’s diet. Cut out sugared drinks and sodas and introduce a healthy eating plan with plenty of fresh fruit, lean meats and vegetables.

Take a look at the Mediterranean diet or the Dash diet for healthy ways of eating.

Remember Guys, your child will follow your example, not your advice.

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