What Weight Is Considered Obese?
Published: January 02, 2021 · Last reviewed on this site: 2026-10-30
This answer may be out of date. It was published over 3 years ago. Health guidance changes — check with a doctor or trusted adult.
The question
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My 12 year old daughter with average height would like to know what weight for her would be considered obese?
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The answer
Many factors come into play when considering the answer to the question being asked. The [CDC has a [Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator that determines whether a person is considered to be underweight, normal, overweight or obese based on their height and weight.
TeenHealthFX would like to point out the BMI calculator does not consider overall health and body type. For example, if a person is an athlete, they may fall into the overweight or obsess category and that is not the case. It is also important to keep in mind that the BMI calculator is NOT a diagnostic tool. We strongly recommend reaching out to her pediatrician for weight and health concerns as he/she will do a thorough evaluation of your daughter and will let you know if there are any concerns and potential changes that can be made.
We hope this helps!