You're not going to find that answer here! That's because there is no right answer to this question. You have probably seen countless graphs (even at the doctor's office) that tell you how much you should weigh according to your height, and whether you’re underweight, average, or overweight. But no matter how you look at it, everybody's body is different. And height is NOT the only thing that affects your body weight! That means that what's right for you might be completely off for someone else. It all has to do with age, body composition, rate of growth, your parents (AKA genetics) and your activity levels.

Age
During puberty, you are going to gain a major portion of your body weight, so be prepared. Weight varies with age, and how much your 12-year-old sister weighs is definitely going to be different from how much you weigh at 17—and how much she will weigh when she's your age, too.

Body Composition
Everybody's body is made up of different quantities of muscle, fat and tissue. Muscle weighs a whole lot. This is why going by your weight alone is not a very accurate measure of health. For example, if you are a dedicated swimmer and have super strong back and shoulder muscles, then those are going to weigh more than the skinnier arms of your friend who runs cross-country. Don't worry, and don't compare.

Rate of Growth
You are growing and growing. Now that you're a teen, you might have recently experienced a growth spurt of four to five inches, or you may be starting to develop breasts. These are all going to up your body weight, but that's just natural. If you want to mature into an adult, you need to let your body grow.

Genetics
Whether you like it or not, you can thank your mom and dad for your general body shape and weight. Some people have more muscles, or rounder bellies, or skinnier legs—and this all runs in the family. What's overweight for your neighbor may be perfectly normal and healthy for you ... and your mother, and your brother!

Still concerned?
Listen, if you are seriously worried that you might be overweight or underweight for your height, then talk to your doctor. You are not going to find those kind of answers on a website. Your doctor will look at your individual body, history and habits and track your weight over a period of time. Perhaps your doctor will calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index), which will tell him or her approximately how much fat you have on your body. A series of x-rays may be taken and your doctor will ask about other family members to see if you inherited certain characteristics or health problems.

Overweight
If your doctor determines that you are dangerously overweight, then you will probably be put on a healthy and positive nutritional diet, prescribed by your doctor or registered dietitian—not you. Read our Diet don'ts to see how dieting on your own can be ineffective and dangerous.

Underweight
Most teenagers who are underweight are just "late bloomers" who will catch up eventually. If you are underweight because of a diet or if you think you have an eating disorder, then you should let your doctor know immediately.