The Ideal Weight For A 17 Year-old Male

Pounds on a scale can't determine the ideal weight for a 17-year-old male. Weight alone isn't a good indicator of whether a teen is underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese. For teenagers, it's best to look at body mass index, or BMI, to arrive at a weight status, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BMI

To determine a teenager's body mass index, take his weight in pounds divided by height in inches. Divide this number by height in inches again and then multiply by 703. A 17-year-old male weighing 150 lbs. at a height of 5 feet 8 inches tall has a BMI of 22.8. For adults, this numeric value indicates a normal weight status. Take an additional step to determine whether this number is actually an ideal body weight for a teenager.

Growth Chart

After you determine BMI, place the number on a growth chart to compare it with teens of the same age, height and gender. Where the teen falls on this chart assigns him a percentile, which is used to clarify weight status. A body mass index placing a 17-year-old teen anywhere between the fifth and 84th percentile is healthy with regard to weight. As already mentioned, a 17-year-old male weighing 150 lbs. at a height of 5 feet 8 inches tall has a BMI of 22.8. This places him at the 69th percentile for his age, which means he's at an ideal weight for his height.

Weight Status

Any number under the fifth percentile is an indication that a teen is underweight. Falling between the 85th and 94th percentiles usually means he's overweight. All percentiles above this range are considered obese. If a 17-year-old male at 5 feet 8 inches tall were to weigh 165 lbs., he now ends up with a BMI of 25.1. This places him at the 85th percentile. Just 15 lbs. can move a 17-year-old from a healthy weight to being overweight.

Screening

Once the percentile is determined, other tests are often necessary, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BMI for a teen's age is only a screening tool. Because lean muscle mass isn't taken into account with BMI, a 17-year-old male may show to be overweight when he's actually more muscular. Your doctor can help you determine whether your teenager is underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese for his height.