diff --git a/src/npc.cpp b/src/npc.cpp
index b5f2949d38a70..1bf2255ff3e98 100644
--- a/src/npc.cpp
+++ b/src/npc.cpp
@@ -838,7 +838,12 @@ void npc::randomize( const npc_class_id &type )
 
     set_body();
     recalc_hp();
-
+    randomize_height();
+    int days_since_cata = to_days<int>( calendar::turn - calendar::start_of_cataclysm );
+    double time_influence = days_since_cata >= 180 ? 3.0 : 6.0 - 3.0 * days_since_cata / 180.0;
+    double weight_percent = std::clamp<double>( chi_squared_roll( time_influence ) / 5.0,
+                            0.2, 5.0 );
+    set_stored_kcal( weight_percent * get_healthy_kcal() );
     starting_weapon( myclass );
     starting_clothes( *this, myclass, male );
     starting_inv( *this, myclass );
@@ -882,7 +887,6 @@ void npc::randomize( const npc_class_id &type )
     }
 
     set_base_age( rng( 18, 55 ) );
-    randomize_height();
 
     // Add eocs
     effect_on_conditions::load_new_character( *this );
diff --git a/src/rng.cpp b/src/rng.cpp
index 1d0f1bb9600cb..425510e7626b3 100644
--- a/src/rng.cpp
+++ b/src/rng.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,13 @@ double exponential_roll( double lambda )
                                  std::exponential_distribution<>::param_type( lambda ) );
 }
 
+double chi_squared_roll( double trial_num )
+{
+    static std::chi_squared_distribution<double> rng_chi_squared_dist;
+    return rng_chi_squared_dist( rng_get_engine(),
+                                 std::chi_squared_distribution<>::param_type( trial_num ) );
+}
+
 double rng_exponential( double min, double mean )
 {
     const double adjusted_mean = mean - min;
diff --git a/src/rng.h b/src/rng.h
index 59e9123b4f677..89a8f4916b911 100644
--- a/src/rng.h
+++ b/src/rng.h
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ inline double rng_normal( double hi )
 
 double normal_roll( double mean, double stddev );
 
+double chi_squared_roll( double trial_num );
+
 double rng_exponential( double min, double mean );
 
 inline double rng_exponential( double mean )