A person's body mass index gradually increases through adolescence and into adulthood, so it isn't uncommon to experience some weight gain as you become an older teen ,according to the University of Southern California. The amount of weight gained, however, can vary greatly from teenager to teenager. Not only is this due to age and gender, but also height, body composition and stage of development.
Height
Gaining weight during teenage years is at least partly due to an increase in height. As puberty sets in, which can occur anywhere between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 14 for boys, you typically begin to experience growth spurts that can add as much as four inches or more to your height over the course of a year. These growth spurts can last from two to three years, but some people continue to grow into their 20s. With these added inches, you'll notice a slight difference in weight.
Body Composition
As you move further into puberty, both girls and boys experience changes in body composition, which can also affect weight. Girls tend to gain some weight around the hips and thighs. Girls also continue to develop breast tissue into their late teens. For boys, shoulders begin to broaden and muscles begin to increase in size. All of these changes make an impact on the scale.
BMI
If you feel you're too heavy for your height, ask a parent or guardian to make an appointment with your family physician. Medical professionals can best assess height and weight in relation to your age, gender, body composition and stage of development. They may also measure your body mass index, which can give you an idea of your body fatness.
Calculation
Body mass index is calculated by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches. Divide this number by your height in inches again and then multiply it by 703. From there, BMI is placed on a chart to arrive at a percentile. If you fall anywhere between the fifth and 84th percentiles, you're a healthy weight, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; About BMI for Children and Teens; February 2011
- University of Southern California: Puberty --- Normal Growth and Development
- TeensHealth; What's the Right Weight for My Height?; March 2011
- TeensHealth; Everything You Wanted to Know about Puberty; May 2010
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