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Have you ever wondered why it seems as if every clinic you step into has a weighing scale by the corner?
It’s because one of the very first indicators to classify a person’s health is their weight. After all, it’s no secret that a morbidly obese man is more likely to experience health complications than a man half his weight.
That said, you may be curious: what exactly is the average weight for a man anyway? Is simply falling near this healthy weight figure a sign of good health?
We’ll lay out the average man’s weight, factors that can affect weight, as well as tips on how to lose weight in this article. We’ll also throw in a waist size chart for you to know where you fall in the weight spectrum.
Let’s begin.
Major Factors That Affect Weight
Numerous factors can affect a man’s weight, and these factors can all contribute to a person’s weight in pounds in different ways.
Here are some of the variables that can influence a person’s weight:
- Diet: What you eat and how often you eat shape your weight
- Genetics: This variable affects body fat distribution, cravings, satiety, and appetite.
- Age: Our age can determine our metabolism, which further influences weight.
- Activity levels: How active we are can play a role in shaping our weight
- Hormonal balance: Your body’s hormonal distribution can influence appetite and fat storage.
- Mental health: You’re more inclined to stress eat if you’re stressed or depressed.
- Health conditions: PCOS, Cushing’s syndrome, and hypothyroidism—among others, can increase weight gain risk.
As seen above, many factors can influence weight. This is true for both men and women. If you want to keep your weight in check, consult with a doctor to get the right treatment.
Average Weight for a Man
The worldwide average weight for an adult is 136.7 pounds. However, if you’re from North America, the adult average weight would be 177.9 pounds.
Here are the other average weights for individuals of different continents:
- Oceania:4 pounds
- Africa:8 pounds
- Asia: 2 pounds
- Europe: 1 pounds
- South America:7 pounds
For American males in particular, the average adult weight is over 197 pounds.
What is BMI?
While we can intuitively imagine that normal-weight individuals are healthier than overweight people, there’s no exact figure that embodies the perfect, healthy weight for men. This is because other variables at play can affect a man’s overall well-being.
There exists a range that’s given to categorize men into different types depending on their height and weight variables.
This range is called the body mass index, or BMI, for short. This measurement tool helps classify people into four weight categories:
- Underweight: <18.5
- Normal: Between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9
- Obese: 30 and above
You can use an online BMI calculator to determine your BMI. It should be noted, however, that BMI does have its problems and isn’t always reliable, especially for more muscular men.
Average Weight in Man by Height (5” to 6”2 feet)
Looking to know the ideal weight based on your height?
You may consult this table for reference on the ideal body weight for your height in pounds:
5 feet | 94.7–127.5 |
5’1″ | 97.9–131.8 |
5’2″ | 101.2–136.2 |
5’3″ | 104.5–140.6 |
5’4″ | 107.8–145.1 |
5’5″ | 111.2–149.7 |
5’6″ | 114.6–154.3 |
5’7″ | 118.1–159 |
5’8″ | 121.7–163.8 |
5’9″ | 125.3–168.6 |
5’10” | 129–173.6 |
5’11” | 132.7–178.6 |
6′ | 136.4–183.6 |
6’1″ | 140.2–188.8 |
6’2″ | 144.1–194 |
It should be noted that athletes may fall above this category and would still be considered healthy. This is because muscle is denser than fat.
If you are affected by the limitation of BMI, there are many other ways to gauge your body composition. These height-weight measurement tests include:
- Body fat percentage: Average level is 25%; athlete level is 6%.
- Waist-to-hip ratio: The healthy level for men is 0.90 and below.
Men Size Chart
Unsure where you stand in the size category? Here’s a waist size chart for additional reference.
Display sizes | Neck circumference (cm) | Chest circumference (cm) | Waist circumference (cm) |
S | 35.5 | 71.1 | 62.2 |
M | 38 | 81.3 | 63.5 |
L | 40.6 | 91.5 | 64.7 |
XL | 43.2 | 101.6 | 68 |
A large waist circumference can indicate excess fat build-up in your organs, which can contradict good health.
That said, larger people tend to have larger waists in general.
Talk with a qualified health professional to get more information regarding your waist size in proportion to your height.
How to Lose Weight Effectively
Realized that you far exceeded the average body weight?
It’s essential to manage your weight appropriately to reduce the risk of health complications like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
That said, if you need suggestions on how to maintain excess weight, here are some strategies to help you get started in your weight loss journey.
1. Revamp Your Diet
What you eat is a major influencing factor in your weight. If you constantly eat refined sugar and processed foods in large quantities, it can contribute to obesity and ruin your health in the process.
If you want to improve your health, control your hunger cravings and change what you eat. Here are some healthy foods you should incorporate into your diet:
- Whole grains
- Seafood
- Lean protein
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruits
- Vegetables
2. Cut Your Portions
How much you eat also plays a significant factor in your weight reduction or gain. If you want to see weight loss results, lower the amount of food you eat every mealtime. The fewer calories you consume while still remaining within healthy limits for your health, the better.
3. Exercise Regularly
Adults and elderly individuals are urged to participate in 150 minutes of exercise every week.
This can come in the form of light exercises, like walking and swimming, to more moderate and intense exercises, like weightlifting and endurance running.
Consult Jacksonville, Florida’s Top Men’s Health Clinic for Guidance About Weight Loss Treatment Today
While the average American male is not in excellent health, that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to unhealthy habits.
The medical professionals from Jacksonville’s leading men’s health clinic at Prime Men’s Medical Center can help you normalize your weight and lead a healthy, happy life. We offer ED treatment, PE treatment, RestoreWave therapy, and testosterone therapy, among other treatments to help men restore their health.
Schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.