The Average Weight for Men Based on Height
The average weight for men of different heights varies by country, and the average isn't necessarily a healthy weight. Two men of the same weight and height may also look very different, depending on how much of their weight comes from muscle versus from fat.
The average weight for men of different heights varies by country, and the average isn't necessarily a healthy weight. Two men of the same weight and height may also look very different, depending on how much of their weight comes from muscle versus from fat. Having too much body fat, even if your weight is normal, can be just as dangerous as being overweight.
Average Weight and Height for Men
As of 2010, the average height for men in the United States is about 5 feet, 9 inches; the average weight is about 196 pounds. A man with this weight and height has a body mass index of 28.9, which puts him in the overweight category. For a man who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 128 to 169 pounds is considered a healthy weight.
The average waist circumference for men is almost 40 inches. This is concerning because a waist circumference of over 40 inches puts men at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Healthy Weight Ranges
Healthy weight ranges are determined by BMI. People with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered a healthy weight. For a man who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, a healthy weight ranges from 114 to 150 pounds, and a man who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, the range is between 121 and 159 pounds. A man who is 5 feet, 10 inches should aim for a weight of between 132 and 174 pounds, and one who is 6 feet tall should try to keep his weight between 140 and 184 pounds.
Average Weight by Age
The average weight for men varies based on age as well as height. For example, as of 2002, the average weight for adult men from 20 to 29 years old is 183 pounds; while for men between 30 and 39, it is 189 pounds; for men between 40 and 49, it's 196 pounds. Men between 50 and 59 weighed an average of 195 pounds, those between 60 and 74 weighed an average of 192 pounds, and those 75 and over weighed an average of 173 pounds.
An Upward Trend in Average Weights
The percentage of people who are overweight or obese has gone up from 56 percent in 1988 to about 64 percent in 2000, with most of this increase due to more people qualifying as obese, which is defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to an article published in Advance Data in 2004, the average weight for adults went up more than 24 pounds between 1960 and 2002.
Body Fat Considerations
You can be a normal weight but still have too much body fat, a condition that's called "normal weight obesity" -- or "skinny fat" -- and can increase your risk for metabolic syndrome, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal in 2010. Body mass index doesn't actually measure body fat, so speak with your doctor to get further testing to determine your body fat levels. On the other hand, BMI can overestimate body fat in people who are very muscular and underestimate body fat in older individuals who tend to have less muscle.