Typically, children gain about 5 pounds a year. During this period, boys and girls become more sensitive about their appearance. Young girls are often more worried about growing too much and boys about not being tall enough.
So what is the average weight of an 8-year-old? To answer this question, read through this article.
How Much Should an Eight-year-old Boys and Girls Weigh?
When it comes to an 8-year-old’s weight, the recommendation charts you often see in doctor’s offices may not be the best reference. These charts don’t always show that an 8-year-old’s weight is healthy.
It’s pretty challenging to determine an average weight at eight years because genes can also play a role in how average each child is. If the parent is on the lower side, it is normal for the child to also be on the lower side, and many factors can influence the weight of an 8-year-old.
The Average weight for eight-year-olds
An eight-year-old girl will have an average weight of 58 pounds, and a baby boy will weigh about 56 pounds. However, your child’s actual weight is not the only way to determine the right weight for your child. Instead, most will calculate a child’s body mass index, which is done by dividing the child’s weight (in pounds) by the child’s height (in inches). Then you divide the number you get by their height again. Then multiply the number you get by 703 to get the BMI. The final number you reach determines what percentage they fall on the typical growth chart.
The Average Percentage for 8-year-olds
While the percentages won’t give you a direct answer for how much an 8-year-old should weigh, they will give you a range of healthy weights an 8-year-old should fall into.
Regarding BMI, 8-year-olds between the 5th and 84th percentiles will be at a weight appropriate for their age. If the child’s BMI puts them below the 5th percentile, that indicates the child is underweight. The child may be overweight if their BMI puts them anywhere between the 85th and 94th percentiles. If it falls in the 95th percentile or higher, the child may be obese.
Screening for 8-year-olds
Suppose your child falls outside of the “reasonable weight” range. In that case, that doesn’t automatically conclude that your child is underweight, overweight, or even obese. Please remind yourself that your child’s BMI is only used as a tool to help screen for any potential problems they may face with their weight. Suppose there are any concerns about your child’s weight. You may do additional testing to evaluate your child’s diet, physical activity, and skin fold thickness in that case.
If you have concerns about your children’s weight or how they are growing, you should discuss these concerns with your child’s doctor. This chart below can be a starting point for determining how much an 8-year-old should weigh and a guide to children’s weight and height through age 12.
Average Weight and Height Charts for 2-12 Years Old Girls
| Age | Weight | Height |
| 2 yrs | 26.5 Ib ( 12.0 kg) | 33.7’’ (85.5 cm) |
| 3 yrs | 31.5 Ib (14.2 kg) | 37.0” (94 cm) |
| 4 yrs | 34.0 Ib (15.4 kg) | 39.5” (100.3 cm) |
| 5 yrs | 39.5 Ib (17.9 kg) | 42.5’’ (107.9 cm) |
| 6 yrs | 44.0 Ib ( 19.9 kg) | 45.5” (115.5 cm) |
| 7 yrs | 49.5 Ib (22.4 kg) | 47.7” (121.1 cm) |
| 8 yrs | 57.0 Ib (25.8 kg) | 50.5” (128.2 cm) |
| 9 yrs | 62.0 Ib ( 28.1 kg) | 52.5” (133.3 cm) |
| 10 yrs | 70.5 Ib (31.9 kg) | 54.5” (138.4 cm) |
| 11 yrs | 81.5 Ib (36.9 kg) | 56.7” (144 cm) |
| 12 yrs | 91.5 Ib (41.5 kg) | 59.0” (149.8 cm) |
Average Weight and Height Charts for 2-12 Years Old Girls
| Age | Weight | Height |
| 2 yrs | 27.5 Ib ( 12.5 kg) | 34.2” (86.8 cm) |
| 3 yrs | 31.0 Ib (14 kg) | 37.5” (95.2 cm) |
| 4 yrs | 36.0 Ib (16.3 kg) | 40.3” (102.3 cm) |
| 5 yrs | 40.5 Ib (17.9 kg) | 43.0” (109.2 cm) |
| 6 yrs | 45.5 Ib (20.6 kg) | 45.5” (115.5 cm) |
| 7 yrs | 50.5 Ib (22.9 kg) | 48.0” (121.9 cm) |
| 8 yrs | 56.5 Ib (25.6 kg) | 50.4” (128 cm) |
| 9 yrs | 63.0 Ib (28.6 kg) | 52.5” (133.3 cm) |
| 10 yrs | 70.5 Ib (32 kg) | 54.5” (138.4 cm) |
| 11 yrs | 78.5 Ib (35.6 kg) | 56.5” (143.5 cm) |
| 12 yrs | 88.0 Ib (39.9 kg) | 58.7” (149.1 cm) |
Body weight percentile chart for eight-year-olds?
The average weight for eight-year-old boys is 25.8 kg, and eight-year-old girls average 25.8 kg. The tables below show the weight distribution by percentile of the eight-year-old population.
Current units = kilograms.
Eight-year-old girls under 20 kg or over 33 kg and eight-year-old boys under 21 kg or over 33 kg may want to consult a doctor. Children whose weight is outside the 5th or 85th percentiles seek professional advice to determine if further evaluation is needed.
Body Weight Percentile Chart for Eight Year Old Boys
| Percentile | Weight (Ibs) | Weight (kg) |
| 3rd | 44.3 lbs | 20.1 kg |
| 5th | 45.6 lbs | 20.7 kg |
| 10th | 47.6 lbs | 21.6 kg |
| 25th | 51.5 lbs | 23.3 kg |
| 50th | 56.8 lbs | 25.8 kg |
| 75th | 63.6 lbs | 28.8 kg |
| 90th | 71.7 lbs | 32.5 kg |
| 95th | 77.8 lbs | 35.3 kg |
| 97th | 82.5 lbs | 37.4 kg |
Body Weight Percentile Chart for Eight Year Old Girls
| Percentile | Weight (Ibs) | Weight (kg) |
| 3rd | 43.1 lbs | 19.5 kg |
| 5th | 44.4 lbs | 20.1 kg |
| 10th | 46.6 lbs | 21.2 kg |
| 25th | 50.9 lbs | 23.1 kg |
| 50th | 56.8 lbs | 25.8 kg |
| 75th | 64.3 lbs | 29.2 kg |
| 90th | 73.2 lbs | 33.2 kg |
| 95th | 79.9 lbs | 36.2 kg |
| 97th | 85 lbs | 38.5 kg |
Why Is Child Weight Important?
Today, the problem of weight is one of the problems of concern. One of the most significant problems is obesity. In the United States, more than 13 million children are affected by obesity.
In the journal Pediatrics, a 2010 study revealed that obese children were bullied 65% more than average-weight children. Another study reported that overweight but not an obese child was bullied 13% more than normal-weight child.
However, being overweight is also a problem. A child who is overweight is prone to many health problems. Research has found that parents who negatively influence their child’s weight may do more harm than good.
Besides, being underweight can cause many health diseases like growth and development problems, poor immune system, malnutrition, or anemia. Therefore, maintaining a reasonable weight is a precious matter. Parents should be woken up to control their child’s weight.
What contributes to your 8-year-old’s healthy weight?
When looking at the appropriate weight of an 8-year-old, you will find a lot of factors. These include:
-Family history
-Overall reality
-Environment
– Metabolism and
-Injuries or behavior
Energy balance in the body
Energy balance is essential to confirm health and weight in the human body. The total calories a child can get from a drink or food are compatible with the energy their body uses for activities like breathing, digestion, and exercise.
Total energy IN & OUT = Balanced energy
Total energy IN than OUT = overweight
Total energy OUT than IN = weight loss
It does not need to balance the overall energy in and out every day. If you maintain the following rule, you can ensure the right weight for your 8-year-old.
-Make sure you have arranged a healthy diet. If your child is overweight, don’t give them high-calorie foods too often.
-Keep your child physically active
-Do not allow your children to spend leisure time idle because it makes them inactive physically
What should I do if my 8-year-old is not at an ideal weight?
If your 8-year-old isn’t at an ideal weight for their BMI, you shouldn’t blame their weight. The New York Times revealed that parents should not talk about weight because it can negatively impact their child’s development. Your overall health is the most crucial factor when checking your weight. Besides, let your child exercise daily and play outdoor games.
How to measure the weight of an 8-year-old child accurately?
First, you must place the scale on hard surfaces like wood or tile. Using a digital scale to measure your child’s weight would be better.
Note: Do not place the scale on the carpet.
While measuring, remove heavy clothing (overalls or jackets) and shoes. In the middle of the scale, have your child stand and record the weight from the digital scale.
TIP: It is better to weigh the baby before breakfast. Also, repeat the measurement simultaneously as the weight will change throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
The average weight for eight-year-old boys is 25.8 kg, and eight-year-old girls average 25.8 kg, respectively.
If you are concerned parents, then, of course, you will be worried about your child’s weight. A child’s weight is vital as it is an indicator of health. Healthy living and proper nutrition are the best methods for your child to achieve the ideal weight. Hopefully, you have answered the question about the average weight of an eight-year-old.
