Is Average Good Enough?
Annie_01
Posts: 3,096 Member
In setting my final goal weight I initially went for about half-way in my healthy range which would be around 140. My first goal weight is 165. At this point I will start evaluating how much more that I need to lose.
I got curious as to how 165 would compare to the average American woman and ran across this article that I found interesting...and a little sad. So I thought I would share it to see what others thought about "settling for average".
http://www.newsmax.com/US/average-weight-man-woman-obese/2015/06/15/id/650546/
CDC: Average Weight of Women Today Same as Men in 1960s
The average weight of American women is as much as the average weight of American men in 1960, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 1960, the average American male weighed about 166.3 pounds, which was the average weight for American women in 2010 at 166.2 pounds, which marks about a 18.5 percent increase. The average weight for women in 1960 was 140 pounds, according to the CDC report.
The average weight for men has also increased to 195.5 pounds, gaining almost 30 pounds, which is a 17.6 percent increase.
Both men and women have also gained about an inch in height since the 1960s. The changes in height have been factored into some of the weight gain.
According to the CDC data, 35.1 percent of American adults over the age of 20 are obese. Sixty-nine percent of American adults, who are over 20 years of age, are either overweight or obese.
More than 20 percent of American children, who are between 12 and 19 years of age are categorized as obese, and American children from six years of age to 11 years old are also considered obese.
In 2012, the United States came in third following the Pacific island nations Micronesia and Tonga for having the highest average weight in the world, according to a study by BMC Public Health.
By comparison, the average American weighs 33 pounds more than the average Frenchman and 70 pounds more than the average person from Bangladesh.
I got curious as to how 165 would compare to the average American woman and ran across this article that I found interesting...and a little sad. So I thought I would share it to see what others thought about "settling for average".
http://www.newsmax.com/US/average-weight-man-woman-obese/2015/06/15/id/650546/
CDC: Average Weight of Women Today Same as Men in 1960s
The average weight of American women is as much as the average weight of American men in 1960, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 1960, the average American male weighed about 166.3 pounds, which was the average weight for American women in 2010 at 166.2 pounds, which marks about a 18.5 percent increase. The average weight for women in 1960 was 140 pounds, according to the CDC report.
The average weight for men has also increased to 195.5 pounds, gaining almost 30 pounds, which is a 17.6 percent increase.
Both men and women have also gained about an inch in height since the 1960s. The changes in height have been factored into some of the weight gain.
According to the CDC data, 35.1 percent of American adults over the age of 20 are obese. Sixty-nine percent of American adults, who are over 20 years of age, are either overweight or obese.
More than 20 percent of American children, who are between 12 and 19 years of age are categorized as obese, and American children from six years of age to 11 years old are also considered obese.
In 2012, the United States came in third following the Pacific island nations Micronesia and Tonga for having the highest average weight in the world, according to a study by BMC Public Health.
By comparison, the average American weighs 33 pounds more than the average Frenchman and 70 pounds more than the average person from Bangladesh.
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Replies
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It's good enough for me, though I weigh less than average atm.0
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What you weigh for your health and your own happiness is important.
I'm 5'5 and 45 years old. Under 145 I look emaciated so that it my limit. I have implants, which might affect that weight vs what it looks like but I won't go less than that. I couldn't care less about what a so-called average is.0 -
Taking the UK as an example: https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/posts/10152010423176323
Although I know obesity levels are rising I find it quite surprising to be significantly below average. The average female BMI is 27, so overweight. Definitely an improvement and something to aim for if your BMI is higher, but perhaps not an optimum point generally speaking.
Also found this really interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
My BMI is lower than 91% of British females in my age range, and I compare most closely to the average woman in Eritrea. My colleagues were horrified by that, but I think British culture is very used to the average person carrying perhaps a few extra pounds more than they'd like so we don't consider it.
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Yeah, the average American is too fat.
Height matters, though -- 165 would be a perfectly good weight for lots of people. It would not be for someone my height, sigh. That said, I was happy and feeling good when I hit it on the way down, and I like the idea of multiple goal weights as you progress.0 -
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I think as a statistic, it says something about the availability of processed and fattening foods. On a personal level, it would be a nice threshold to cross, dance around, and stick out your tongue at (though I'm not American, so I'd like to see the average of my own country).
I'd honestly be more interested in the average weight by height, to directly compare more accurately. And also a chart excluding extreme outliers. Perhaps the median weight as opposed to the mean. Do we have more extremely obese people, but are the rest of the population holding steady, or is it a truly overall shift? Can we control for socioeconomic status? Is it a shift from people in poverty not having enough to eat versus only having access to junk foods? Is it a shift of mothers in the home to working and more pre-prepared foods? Is it the sedentary office jobs, which have definitely increased in that time? Is it the unhealthy lunches available in school cafeterias?
It definitely raises more questions than answers, and I'd be very interested in knowing more.0 -
I apparently compare to Belgium. Not bad. But it is also why I only have 10-15 pounds to go.Taking the UK as an example: https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/posts/10152010423176323
Although I know obesity levels are rising I find it quite surprising to be significantly below average. The average female BMI is 27, so overweight. Definitely an improvement and something to aim for if your BMI is higher, but perhaps not an optimum point generally speaking.
Also found this really interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
My BMI is lower than 91% of British females in my age range, and I compare most closely to the average woman in Eritrea. My colleagues were horrified by that, but I think British culture is very used to the average person carrying perhaps a few extra pounds more than they'd like so we don't consider it.
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Both men and women have also gained about an inch in height since the 1960s. The changes in height have been factored into some of the weight gain.
Given the heights I see in people in my generation vs the previous generation, I would have guessed the average gain in height since the 60s was more than an inch.0 -
It definitely raises more questions than answers, and I'd be very interested in knowing more.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/publications/diabetes-diabete/facts-figures-faits-chiffres-2011/chap4-eng.php has some breakdowns and other similar statistics are available with a bit of searching
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Sorry if this topic is weird...wasn't meant to be that.
Last year I was at 165...I was okay with that. Then I gained some of it back. My goal now is to get back down to that 165 and then decide if I want to lose more. I am 17lbs away from there...
I have been tempted to stop there...I would still be over weight. I would still be part of that 66% of Americans that are over weight. This article just got me to thinking about am I willing to remain part of that statistic. Those statistic are just averages...nothing more...nothing less and certainly doesn't mean that everyone falls right in the middle.
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In setting my final goal weight I initially went for about half-way in my healthy range which would be around 140. My first goal weight is 165. At this point I will start evaluating how much more that I need to lose.
I got curious as to how 165 would compare to the average American woman and ran across this article that I found interesting...and a little sad. So I thought I would share it to see what others thought about "settling for average".
I haven't really thought about settling for what the average weight is of other women in my country. I thought about what would be a comfortable, healthy weight for me as an individual.
No, I don't think "being average" is good enough as that would be still be overweight for me. I think people come in a variety of heights and body shapes and sizes and these statistics are interesting but don't give me information about what is the right weight for me.
Looking at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
Bangladesh and France were mention in the article and the average for both countries are below the global average weight on that site. The average BMI for those countries would be on the low end of a healthy weight for my height. Aiming for average doesn't equal setting a healthy goal either way I'd say.
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I apparently compare to Belgium. Not bad. But it is also why I only have 10-15 pounds to go.Taking the UK as an example: https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/posts/10152010423176323
Although I know obesity levels are rising I find it quite surprising to be significantly below average. The average female BMI is 27, so overweight. Definitely an improvement and something to aim for if your BMI is higher, but perhaps not an optimum point generally speaking.
Also found this really interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
My BMI is lower than 91% of British females in my age range, and I compare most closely to the average woman in Eritrea. My colleagues were horrified by that, but I think British culture is very used to the average person carrying perhaps a few extra pounds more than they'd like so we don't consider it.
I'm most like someone from Afghanistan. Lower than 90% of US women in my age group (I have about 7 lbs to go, am smack in the middle of the healthy BMI range). At goal I will be like a woman from Eritrea.
I'd really rather stay in the US, weight aside.0 -
Sometimes it can be.0
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I'd honestly be more interested in the average weight by height, to directly compare more accurately. And also a chart excluding extreme outliers. Perhaps the median weight as opposed to the mean. Do we have more extremely obese people, but are the rest of the population holding steady, or is it a truly overall shift?
This would be interesting. Part of it is outliers, but a good bit is an overall shift given the overall overweight percentage, at least in the US (but I believe other countries are following our lead).0 -
Sorry if this topic is weird...wasn't meant to be that.
Last year I was at 165...I was okay with that. Then I gained some of it back. My goal now is to get back down to that 165 and then decide if I want to lose more. I am 17lbs away from there...
I have been tempted to stop there...I would still be over weight. I would still be part of that 66% of Americans that are over weight. This article just got me to thinking about am I willing to remain part of that statistic. Those statistic are just averages...nothing more...nothing less and certainly doesn't mean that everyone falls right in the middle.
There's something to be said for that. If I found it easier to stick around 140-145 (which is BMI 25-26 or so) and found that trying to be at 120 or below was causing me to yoyo, I'd probably rather be at the higher weight, which I think can be reasonably healthy assuming I'm active and eat well and all that. It's really vanity plus wanting to run faster that makes me have a lower weight goal, but if it ends up feeling a lot harder (I don't think it will, since I've been bouncing around 125 comfortably), I would change my goal.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »
I apparently compare to Belgium. Not bad. But it is also why I only have 10-15 pounds to go.Taking the UK as an example: https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/posts/10152010423176323
Although I know obesity levels are rising I find it quite surprising to be significantly below average. The average female BMI is 27, so overweight. Definitely an improvement and something to aim for if your BMI is higher, but perhaps not an optimum point generally speaking.
Also found this really interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
My BMI is lower than 91% of British females in my age range, and I compare most closely to the average woman in Eritrea. My colleagues were horrified by that, but I think British culture is very used to the average person carrying perhaps a few extra pounds more than they'd like so we don't consider it.
I'm most like someone from Afghanistan. Lower than 90% of US women in my age group (I have about 7 lbs to go, am smack in the middle of the healthy BMI range). At goal I will be like a woman from Eritrea.
I'd really rather stay in the US, weight aside.
You made me check my goal weight. It says I'd be like someone in India. I already work in an area with one of the highest Indian populations in the U.S.0 -
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I hope to be above average, but I suppose that half of all people are below average no matter what the trends are.Also found this really interesting: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
That is a really neat link. Thank you. Right now I am like someone from Brunei but hope to be similar to someone in India - I'd be smaller than 82% of all women in Canada, or 90% of Americans. That surprised me.0 -
While I knew that we as Americans were heavier than past generations I was surprised that the average had risen at the rate that it has in the last 50+ years.
Are we becoming accustomed to seeing ourselves "larger" and allowing it to become the new "norm".
At this rate of increase what will the average be in another 50 years?
I actually found this article motivating to keep going after I reach the 165lb mark.0 -
Settle on your happy place.
I have no desire for average. I want lean with some extra muscle.
What do you want?
I weigh more than average but I carry some extra muscle
If you like you. Your significant other likes you. Those
Are the two that see you naked!
Ha!
Kind of all that matters.
Mine likes me
I really don't care what anyone else thinks.
Yes, it does seem average is a steadily plumping shape. Not interested.0 -
When I click through that bbc link, I'm most similar to someone from Bangladesh, which translates to being a very skinny American! I'm at a healthy weight, and don't have any visible ribs or anything that indicates under-nutrition. The average is overweight on my body, and it looks it, but I'm also not particularly short.
It's an interesting topic, to be sure! I've also given thought to the future of humanity if we continue to increase in size and invent new medical treatments to fix the wave of health issues stemming from our changing lifestyles. Remember that episode of South Park where Sally Struthers was Jabba the Hutt? We're evolving!0 -
While I knew that we as Americans were heavier than past generations I was surprised that the average had risen at the rate that it has in the last 50+ years.
Are we becoming accustomed to seeing ourselves "larger" and allowing it to become the new "norm".
At this rate of increase what will the average be in another 50 years?
I actually found this article motivating to keep going after I reach the 165lb mark.
Definitely interesting. It's something I've at least fleetingly wondered about ever since I heard that the "average American woman is a size 14". I don't know if that's an average or median, or how that number came to being. I will say that size 14 was not my target
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Apparently is fit in in Chad. Below 83% of my country (Australia) and 63% of the world.
really cool link. My goal weight gets me into Bangladesh.0 -
yeah, sorry. The problem with the mean is that it is seldom seen in real life - 1.95 legs, a salary that nobody earns, etc0 -
Interesting. That site says ...
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-18770328
You have a lower BMI than 89% of females aged 45-59 in your country.
You have a lower BMI than 71% of females aged 45-59 in the world.
You're most like someone from Burkina Faso.0 -
Interesting. That site says ...
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-18770328
You have a lower BMI than 89% of females aged 45-59 in your country.
You have a lower BMI than 71% of females aged 45-59 in the world.
You're most like someone from Burkina Faso.
I've dropped to Papua New Guinea now.
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Is average okay for you? That's something you and your doctor have to decide.
I don't care about the rest of America (or the world) when it comes to my weight and my health. I'm not out to build big muscles or starve myself or anything, but I want to be thin and, more import, I want to be as healthy as I can be. So, follow my own rules.
I don't care about average. I want to be as healthy as I can be. 0 -
If you're happy with it, then yeah, it is good enough. It's not a competition.0
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