As the result of better nutrition, Americans are on average about one inch taller than they were in the early 1960s.  Since that time, Americans are also nearly 25 pounds heavier.  In 1960-62, the average man weighed 166 pounds.  By 1999-2002, the average man weighed 191 pounds.  In the same time period the average woman’s weight increased from 140 pounds to 164 pounds. The weight gain is due to eating more and moving less.

Source: “Mean Body Weight, Height, and Body Mass Index, United States 1960-2002,” National Center f or Health Statistics report released Oct. 27, 2004 .