Male and Female Average Sizes Compared to Each Other & Other Races
When we look around, we see the true diversity among people. Obviously, we come in many different shapes and sizes as well as skin tones. It can appear to be completely random on the surface. However, when we look closer, we can see that there are definite trends regarding male and female average sizes. We’ll explore those trends in this post.
Male and Female Average Size
When I first began researching this post, my intent was to gather the data about the black population. As I did that, the goal expanded in my mind. Why stop with just Blacks? It felt like a good idea to see what the numbers looked like with other races. Not surprisingly, the results illustrated some interesting comparisons!
Basically, we’ll be focusing on four metrics. Those metrics are male and female height, weight, waist size, and BMI or Body Mass Index (2015-2016). First we’ll see what each of these looks for a particular racial demographic. And, ultimately, we’ll see how this compares to African-Americans
Average Height
The height or stature of human beings amounts to the distance from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head while standing erect. Usually, we measure this with a stadiometer in centimeters or feet and inches.
Height is also closely correlated with other components of health components. It affects life expectancy. In addition, shorter individuals are more likely to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to acquire cancer. A shorter height also decreases the risk of venous insufficiency.
The average height of males and females can vary quite a bit from one hispanic origin based racial group to another. And, although these figures represent an average, a height that falls far above or below the average often indicates a health problem in the individual. An example would be as in the case of John Rogan who was labeled “The Negro Giant”.
Non-Hispanic White Height
The first hispanic origin category that we’ll take a look at is the Non-Hispanic White category. It represents, by far, the largest single racial group in the country. average height for White men in the United States is 69.8 inches (5 feet 9.8 inches). Meanwhile, the average height for White women in this country is 64.3 inches (5 feet 4.3 inches).
So, the difference between the average White male and White female heights is 5.5 inches. The significance in this lies in how this compares with other racial categories in America. This gap is the largest among all of the racial groups.
Non-Hispanic Black Height
The next origin category that we’ll explore is the Non-Hispanic Black category. The average height for men in this group is 69.1 inches (5 foot 9.1 inches). Black women in this country, on the other hand, average 64.0 inches (5 feet 4 inches) in height. This results in a difference between average black male and female heights of 5.1 inches.
Here, we see that the average difference in height between black men and women is less than it is for white men and women. But, where would that place Blacks in terms of that difference among all of the racial groups? Essentially, it puts us in a narrow third place.
Both Non-Hispanic Whites and Non-Hispanic Asians have a greater height gap between male and female than Non-Hispanic Blacks do. The smallest of these gaps (0.2 inches)
On the other hand, the Hispanic and Mexican-American groups have less of a gap. Even still, it’s important to note that the latter gap is extremely narrow. In fact, the difference is only 0.1 inches.
Non-Hispanic Asian Height
In second place, in regards to height gap between the sexes, is the Non-Hispanic Asian category. The average height for Non-Hispanic Asian men is 66.8 inches or 5 feet 6.8 inches. Meanwhile, the average height for Non-Hispanic Asian women is 61.5 inches or 5 feet 1.5 inches. Overall, the difference between Asian male and Asian female height is 5.3 inches.
As with Non-Hispanic Whites, the gap is greater than it is with Blacks. As mentioned, the difference here is 0.1 inches.
Hispanic Height
One of the two racial origin categories in which the gap is smaller than with Blacks is with Hispanics. In other words, Hispanic males and females average closer in height than Blacks males and females do.
For instance, the average height for Hispanic men is 66.7 inches or 5 feet 6.7 inches. Meanwhile, the average height for Hispanic women is 61.7 inches or 5 feet 1.7 inches. In short, that makes the difference between Hispanic male and Hispanic female height exactly 5.0 inches. Or, 0.1 inches less than that of Non-Hispanic Blacks.
Mexican-American Height
Lastly, we have the average height difference in the Mexican-American racial category. First, the average height for Mexican-American men is 66.5 inches, or 6 feet 6.5 inches. Next, the average height for Mexican-American women is 61.5 inches, or 6 feet 1.5 inches. In the end, the difference between male and female height is 5.0 inches.
Average Weight
Typically, we measure body weight without anything located on the person. However, sometimes we measure it with clothes on, but without shoes or heavy accessories. We can use these measurements to identify trends across a segment of or the entire population.
Variances, such as excess or reduced body weight are indicators that assist in determining a person’s health. Body volume measurements provide an added dimension by helping us tp calculate the distribution of that weight.
The average adult human weight varies by geography. For example, about 60 kg (130 lb) is average in Asia and Africa. Meanwhile, about 80 kg (180 lb) is considered average in North America. In all cases, men weighing more than women on average.
Non-Hispanic White Weight
In the United States, the average weight for White men was 202.2 pounds in the 2015-2016 survey year. Meanwhile, the average weight for White women was 170.9 pounds. Therefore, the difference between the male and female weights in the White population is 31.3 pounds. This is the largest difference between the sexes among all of the racial groups on the survey.
Non-Hispanic Black Weight
While the White group had the largest gap in weight, the Black group was exactly the opposite. Blacks in America had the smallest difference in average weight between male and female among all of the racial groups.
The average weight for men in this category was 197.7 pounds. The average weight for women, on the other hand was 186.1 pounds during the same time period. Do, again, this shows Blacks have the smallest difference between male and female weight at 11.6 pounds.
Non-Hispanic Asian Weight
Non-Hispanic Asians boasted the second largest gap in terms of weight between the sexes. The average Asian man’s weight was 161.1 pounds. At the same time, the average weight for women was 132.4 pounds. This makes 28.7 pounds the difference in weight between the average Non-Hispanic Asian male and Non-Hispanic Asian female in the United States during the 2015 – 2016 survey timeframe.
Hispanic Weight
Hispanic men averaged 190.5 pounds in the 2015 – 2016 survey years. Meanwhile, the women of this racial group averaged 169.0 pounds in weight. Therefore, the difference between male and female weight is 21.5 pounds as it pertains to the Hispanic population.
Mexican-American Weight
With only a slight difference from the Hispanic category, the Mexican-American survey group had an average weight for men of 190.4 pounds. The average weight for women was around 2 pounds heavier than that of the Hispanic group at 171.9 pounds. So, the difference between male and female Mexican-American weight is 18.5 pounds.
American Male VS Female (Height, Weight, Waist, and BMI) by race.
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Male and Female Average Waist size
According to research, adults that have a large waist size (circumference) stand a greater risk of dying early those that have a normal waist size. In fact, researchers saw decreases in life expectancy in both men and women based on extended waistlines. Often, the stats were independent of other risk factors, like age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and smoking or drinking.
A bigger waist can also expose some significant red flags regarding our health. It can point toward excessive abdominal fat. This excessive fat is often the cause of a number of health problems. Some of these conditions include; type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Non-Hispanic White Waist Size
In the 2015 – 2016 survey timeframe, Non-Hispanic Whites had the largest average waist size when it comes to men. The White male average was 40.6 inches. Meanwhile, the average waist size for women was smaller at 38.4 inches. Thusly, the difference between the male and female waist sizes was -2.2 inches.
Non-Hispanic Black Waist Size
Black men had the 2nd smallest average waist size at 39.1 inches. In contrast, the average waist size for Black women was the largest amongst the women at 40.2 inches. Another fact of note, was that the Black population was the only racial category in which the women had a larger average waist size than the men. Subsequently, the difference between male and female waist size is +1.1 inches.
Non-Hispanic Asian Waist Size
The smallest average waist size amongst men belonged to the Non-Hispanic Asian category. In this category, male average waist size was 36.0 inches. When it came to the women, the average waist size was 33.7 inches. As a result, the Asian group had the largest difference between male and female waist size with the average female waist being 2.3 inches smaller.
Hispanic Waist Size
In the Hispanic category, the average waist size for men is 40.3 inches. For women, the average circumference is only slightly smaller at 39.4 inches. As a result, the difference between male and female waist size in the Hispanic group is only -0.9 inches.
Mexican-American Waist Size
The Mexican-American group had the smallest difference in waist size during the 2015 – 2016 year. Almost identical to the Hispanic number, the average waist size for Mexican-American men was 40.4 inches. The average waist size for women in this group was 40.0 inches. These figures made the difference between male and female waist size in the Mexican-American group the smallest of all the racial groups. There was only a -0.4 inch difference.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Body mass index (BMI) is a value that we calculate using the weight and height of a person. Technically, BMI is the body mass divided by the square of the body height. Usually, we express that in units of kg/m2 (mass in kilograms/height in meters). Often, tables and charts make it much easier to find the BMI and, in some cases, they offer conversion to other units of measure (inches, pounds, etc.).
The BMI is a convenient tool for making broad categorizations when it comes to weight. Some of these categorizations include; underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Simply put, the categories are based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height. The major adult BMI classifications are as follows;
- Underweight – under 18.5
- Normal Weight – 18.5 thru 24.9
- Overweight – 25 thru 29.9
- Obese – 30 or more
It should be noted that there are limitations when it comes to BMI and health predictions. For instance, it does matter where fat is located as in the case of abdominal obesity. Also, results are skewed when dealing with individuals that are short in stature. Finally, results have less value when dealing with people that have an unusually high muscle mass. Often, there are better alternatives of measurement available. However, BMIs under 20 and over 25 have been linked to higher all-cause mortality. The risk increases from there as the BMI goes up.
Let’s take a look at how BMI stacks up between the Hispanic Origin groups in the survey.
Non-Hispanic White BMI
In the Non-Hispanic White category, the numbers for male and female are identical. The average BMI for men is 29.1. Likewise, the average BMI for women is 29.1. Again, the difference between male and female BMI is 0.
Non-Hispanic Black BMI
Within the Non-Hispanic black population, the difference is greater than in any other category. The average BMI for men is 29.0. Meanwhile, the average BMI for women is 31.9. Difference between male and female BMI is +2.9.
Of note, the Black male BMI is lower than that of white men. In fact, it is lower than that of all men except for the Non-Hispanic Asian male group. The Black female BMI, on the other hand, is the highest (along with Mexican-American) of all of the female groups.
Non-Hispanic Asian BMI
Members of the Non-Hispanic Asian group have the lowest BMI of all of the groups. This applies to both sexes. The average BMI for men is 25.3. For women, the average BMI is 24.6. At -0.7, the difference between male and female BMI is only smaller in the White category. Additionally, this is the only racial group in which the average female BMI is lower than that of the male.
Hispanic BMI
Hispanic men have one of the largest average BMIs for men at 30.0. The women, on the other hand, average 31.2. The difference between male and female BMI in this category is +1.2.
Mexican-American BMI
As with other metrics, Mexican-American BMI mirrors that of the Hispanic average pretty closely. The average BMI for men in this group is 30.2. Meanwhile, the average BMI for women is 31.9. This brings the difference between male and female BMI to +1.7.
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About The Author
Dr. Sherman D Rivers Sr., PhD, MBA
Dr. Sherman D Rivers Sr. provides insights regarding the facts, data, and statistics affecting the lives and image of members of the black population. He has a keen interest in "the things that we don't see" and enjoys shining light on them. He holds a Master's of Business Administration Degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Metaphysical Science. Dr. Rivers is also an active member of Alchemy Lodge #19 under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Mereruka Grand Masonic Lodge of North America A.R.O.M (Ancient Right of Original Masons).