Body, Height & Weight - What's Normal? / Question
Published: February 23, 2001

Dear TeenHealthFX,

What is the average weight of a 12-year-old?

Signed: Average Weight

Dear Average Weight,

 

It is impossible for TeenHealthFX to predict what the average weight of a 12-year-old should be. It is much easier for adults as there are standards by which doctors and professionals follow. However, these standards are not applicable to growing teens. At age twelve, whether you are a boy or a girl, you are most likely entering puberty. For the next few years your body will begin to drastically grow and change. Each individual will begin this process at different times, girls usually earlier than boys.

 

At 12 girls bodies have begun puberty whether it is noticeable or not, and will soon begin to grow in size, which is normally accompanied by weight gain. Boys on the other hand will not enter puberty until 13 or 14 and will just be beginning to grow tall and not fill out until their later teens. So as you can see it is hard to predict an average weight for a 12 year old, just look around at your classmates, some are tall or small and petite, while other have begun to develop and those who still have a few years to go. All of these are perfectly normal, just as many different weights are as well. Weight is only a number that does not consider height or body mass, so try not to get too caught up in it. At this point in your life it is important to keep healthy, eating right and exercising will make sure that your body weight is healthiest for you!

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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