If you’re looking for straight answers, here they are: The average weight for women in the U.S. is 170.8 pounds, and the average height is 5 feet, 3 inches tall. These are mathematical calculations, so they don’t necessarily represent what’s typical or healthy for you as an individual. 

There are so many factors that make our bodies unique — our size, our shape, our proportions — that comparing ourselves to others is rarely helpful. In fact, doing so often leads to negative self-talk and other harmful behaviors (thanks, social me.

That said, it might be helpful to know you’re not the only one thinking about your weight. According to a nationally-representative survey conducted by Hims & Hers, 83 percent of Americans say they are not the weight they’d like to be. 

The average amount of weight folks are looking to lose? 42 pounds.

Read on to learn more about the average weight for women in the United States, what women believe the ideal weight is, and the factors that influence your ability to hit your goal weight.

To learn more about how Americans think about weight and weight loss, Hims & Hers conducted a nationally-representative study of 5,000 adults. We learned a lot about the often contradictory beliefs we hold about weight, including what we believe is normal for our own weight and the weight of others.

The survey found that women believe the ideal weight for women is 139 pounds. But when asked about their personal ideal weight, the answers changed. When speaking about themselves, the average goal weight for women reported by women in this study was 144 pounds.

What's up with these discrepancies? According to Dr. Jessica Shepherd, chief medical officer at Hers, there are a few factors at play.

"Body image is a multifaceted construct which includes positive and negative attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors," she says. "There can be discrepancies between actual and ideal weights due to gender, ethnicity, genetics, environment, and lifestyle.”

American women tend to weigh more than women in other parts of the world. There are many reasons for this, such as dietary choices, cultural norms, and socioeconomic factors that influence food accessibility.

The average body weight of women in the U.S. has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. 

According to national surveys, almost 42 percent of U.S. women have obesity and an additional 27.5 percent have excess weight.

Though the U.S. may be leading these numbers, one in eight adults around the world now have obesity. And many more (43 percent) have excess weight.  

Percent of Women Who Are Overweight in 2022 (By Region)

• Western Pacific (China, Japan, Australia, more) — 33.5%

• South-East Asia (India, Indonesia, Thailand, more) — 35.1%

• Africa — 36.2%

• Europe — 56.3%

• Eastern Mediterranean (Middle East, Northeast Africa) — 62.5%

• The Americas  (North and South) — 68.7%

Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement used to assess a person’s body weight in relation to how tall they are. It’s calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters, squared. (kg/m2).

Math not your thing? We got you. Check out the Hers BMI Calculator.

While not a perfect system of measurement, this simple calculation is used as a standard way to measure where you fall in comparison to “normal,” which in this context more or less means “healthy.” 

BMI is intended to provide insight into whether you have an increased risk of developing weight-related conditions, like hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. 

The medical community uses BMI values to diagnose conditions like obesity. The standard weight categories include: 

• Underweight: BMI of 18.4 or under

• Normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9

• Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9

• Obesity: BMI of 30 or greater

If you’re wondering, the average BMI for adult women in the U.S. is 29.8.

BMI has limitations and may not accurately reflect your overall health or body composition. The measurement doesn’t take into account factors like body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, or physical fitness.

Note that at the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men, and older women tend to have more body fat than younger women. Body composition can also differ between people of different races and ethnicities.

When it comes to our weight, there are a lot of factors that can tip the scales. Many variables can affect our waistlines, and they can come into play at different points in our lives. 

Some of these factors include: 

• Hormones. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can affect metabolism and weight regulation.

• Genetics. Genes can influence body composition, like where we tend to hang onto fat, and even how quickly we burn calories. 

• Nutrition. Eating habits, the nutritional quality of our diets, and portion sizes impact weight management.

• Physical activity. Cardio and strength training affect calorie expenditure, muscle mass, and overall body composition.

• Stress. Chronic stress can lead to emotional eating, hormonal imbalances, and changes in appetite.

• Sleep. Poor sleep quality can disrupt hormone levels, metabolism, and appetite regulation.

• Medical conditions. Certain health conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance can affect weight regulation in women.

• Medications. Medications like antidepressants, birth control pills, and corticosteroids may cause weight fluctuations.

• Social and cultural factors. Our eating habits are partly shaped by societal norms, cultural attitudes toward food, and peer or familial influence.

• Mental health. Emotional well-being, self-esteem, and coping mechanisms all play a role in weight maintenance.

Your age group, height, race, and ethnicity can also impact your weight.

Healthy weight management is a lifelong process. Your lifestyle habits are essential to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of weight-related health problems like obesity and heart disease. So toss the weight chart in the trash and consider these tips instead.

If you’re looking for a goal to aim for, a healthcare provider can let you know what a healthy weight range would be for you. 

1. Focus on Nutrients

Nutrition is one of the most important components of your overall health and wellness. Not only does a nutrient-rich diet provide the vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and macronutrients (protein, fats, and carbs) your body needs to thrive, but it also supports healthy weight management. 

A few things to keep in mind: 

• Eat mostly whole foods. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and other lean proteins. This mix provides an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they’re rich in fiber, which helps you feel full.

• Minimize ultra-processed foods. Examples include soda, candy, and packaged snack foods. These tend to be high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. 

• Focus on nutrients versus calories. Rather than being laser-focused on counting calories, put nutrients first. 

2. Get Better Sleep

Not getting enough sleep will wreck anyone’s day, and things can go downhill fast if this is an ongoing problem. Sleep deprivation does more than just make you cranky. 

Lack of sleep makes us more prone to sugar cravings and mindless eating. Experts say adults should get seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night. If you don’t normally sleep very well, try these tips to catch more Zzz’s:

• Follow a consistent sleep-wake schedule, meaning you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Adopt a calming nighttime routine you can look forward to each evening.

• Dress in breathable PJs and use comfy bedding.

• Avoid screens close to bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with melatonin production and make it harder to fall asleep.

• Use black-out curtains or a white noise machine.

• Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you have sleep apnea.

3. Move Your Body

Physical activity is important for supporting your overall health and achieving your weight goals. Regular exercise helps you burn extra calories, lose weight, and put on muscle.

For general health, experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise weekly, plus strength training twice per week. For weight loss goals, this increases to 200 to 300 minutes per week.

In addition to getting your steps in, here are a few things to try: 

• Swimming

• Biking

• Jogging

• Doing martial arts

• Playing basketball

• Joining a group fitness class

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

• Using resistance bands, dumbbells, or weight machines, or doing bodyweight exercises  

4. Consider Weight Loss Medications

When daily lifestyle habits alone aren’t enough to promote weight loss, many people find success with weight loss medications. Intended to be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise, some of the most popular and effective weight loss medications include:

• GLP-1 receptor agonists. These work by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake. By activating GLP-1 receptors in your brain, GLP-1s help promote fullness, slow digestion, and decrease cravings. Examples include liraglutide (Saxenda^®) and semaglutide (Wegovy^® or Ozempic^®). 

• Metformin. Metformin is primarily used to improve blood sugar regulation in those with type 2 diabetes, but it may also support weight loss by decreasing appetite and reducing the absorption of glucose from food in the intestines. 

• Contrave^®. This is a combination of bupropion (an antidepressant and aid to quit smoking) and naltrexone (used for alcohol and opioid dependence). Bupropion helps reduce appetite and cravings, while naltrexone counteracts the effects of certain brain chemicals involved in food reward.

• Topiramate. Topiramate is often used as an antiepileptic medication, but it can support weight loss by suppressing appetite and promoting feelings of fullness. It may also influence your brain's reward pathways, potentially reducing cravings for high-calorie foods.

If you’re interested in exploring weight loss medications, start by taking our free assessment. We can connect you with a licensed healthcare provider who can tell you more about which meds could work for you. 

5. Nurture Social Connections

We were never meant to do life alone, and this includes the journey to achieving a healthy weight. Social connections provide support, accountability, and encouragement. 

Research shows that people who have these types of networks experience better weight loss outcomes. 

Joining a group fitness community or jogging with friends builds a sense of community and encouragement, making it easier to stay committed to healthy habits. 

Having a strong social network can help provide outlets for healthier stress management. It’s also a place to share experiences, successes, and challenges with those on similar journeys. 

6. Drink More Water

Stay hydrated, primarily with plain water. Water is essential for health, but it also helps keep you fuller for longer. 

Try to sip on water throughout the day to keep cravings at bay. If your goal is weight loss, drink water right before or during meals to help promote fullness and prevent overeating. 

If you get tired of plain water, try:

• Plain seltzer water

• Herbal tea

• Water naturally flavored with cucumber, lemon slices, raspberries, or mint leaves

Summing it up, the average weight for women in the U.S. is 170.8 pounds, but that doesn’t mean this is the ideal weight for everyone. 

In fact, there’s no “ideal” weight calculation that considers every woman’s body type or health requirements. And at the end of the day, health is more than a number on the scale.

While unrealistic beauty standards and societal pressures are pervasive, that doesn’t mean we have to accept them as the norm when examining the optimal weight range for women.

If you’re on a mission to find the healthiest weight for you:

• Prioritize healthy everyday habits. This means improving sleep, staying hydrated, nourishing your social connections, boosting your nutrition, and moving your body regularly.

• Seek outside support. Friends and family can be excellent support systems, but sometimes professional health experts can offer invaluable guidance. Perhaps it makes sense for you to talk to a dietitian or connect with one of our licensed healthcare providers. 

• Focus on you. Weight management is personal. What’s most important is understanding your body and the best weight range for you personally. 

If you’re interested in getting expert advice on weight loss medication, our free assessment is a good place to start.