ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (Online): Many people wish to know the answer to this question: how much should I weigh? There is no single ideal weight for all individuals, but various tools and calculators can offer a guide.
\nA note about sex and gender<\/p>\n
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms \u201cmale,\u201d \u201cfemale,\u201d or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.<\/p>\n
Everybody is different, and various factors play a role in determining each person\u2019s ideal weight. These factors can be biological, such as age, height, and natal sex, but mental factors can be just as important.<\/p>\n
An individual may define their ideal weight as the one with which they feel the most comfortable.<\/p>\n
However, maintaining a moderate weight can reduce a person\u2019s risk of developing a number of health conditions, including:
\n\u2022\tobesity
\n\u2022\ttype 2 diabetes
\n\u2022\thigh blood pressure
\n\u2022\tcardiovascular disease (CVD)<\/p>\n
However, not everyone with excess weight will develop health issues. However, researchers believe that while this extra weight might not currently affect health, difficulties in managing weight could lead to problems in the future.<\/p>\n
Read on to discover the different ways of working out a person\u2019s ideal weight.<\/p>\n
Body mass index (BMI)
\n Share on PinterestAttila Csomor\/EyeEm\/Getty Images
\nBMI is a common tool that measures a person\u2019s weight in relation to their height. A BMI calculation provides a single number, which falls into the following categoriesTrusted Source:
\n\u2022\tA BMI of less than 18.5 means a person is underweight.
\n\u2022\tA BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal.
\n\u2022\tA BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight.
\n\u2022\tA BMI over 30 indicates obesity.<\/p>\n
Body mass index calculator
\nTo calculate BMI, a person can use BMI calculators or review the charts below.
\nBMI Calculator
\nUnits:
\n U.S. (Imperial) Metric
\nHeight:
\nFeet
\nInches
\nWeight:
\nPounds
\nCALCULATE<\/p>\n
This BMI calculator is for informational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider before making health decisions. BMI is an indirect assessment of health risk and may not be accurate because it cannot determine the proportion or distribution of body fat. BMI calculator source: National Institutes of Health (NIH).<\/p>\n
Weight and height guide chart
\nThe following weight and height chart uses BMI tables from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source to determine how much a person\u2019s weight should be for their height.<\/p>\n
Height\tNormal weight
\nBMI 19\u201324\tOverweight
\nBMI 25\u201329\tObesity
\nBMI 30\u201339\tSevere obesity
\nBMI 40+
\n4 ft 10 in
\n(58 in)\t91\u2013115 lb\t119\u2013138 lb\t143\u2013186 lb\t191\u2013258 lb
\n4 ft 11 in
\n(59 in)\t94\u2013119 lb\t124\u2013143 lb\t148\u2013193 lb\t198\u2013267 lb
\n5ft
\n(60 in\u201d)\t97\u2013123 lb\t128\u2013148 lb\t153\u2013199 lb\t204\u2013276 lb
\n5 ft 1 in
\n(61 in)\t100\u2013127 lb\t132\u2013153 lb\t158\u2013206 lb\t211\u2013285 lb
\n5 ft 2 in
\n(62 in)\t104\u2013131 lb\t136\u2013158 lb\t164\u2013213 lb\t218\u2013295 lb
\n5 ft 3 in
\n(63 in)\t107\u2013135 lb\t141\u2013163 lb\t169\u2013220 lb\t225\u2013304 lb
\n5 ft 4 in
\n(64 in)\t110\u2013140 lb\t145\u2013169 lb\t174\u2013227 lb\t232\u2013314 lb
\n5 ft 5 in
\n(65 in)\t114\u2013144 lb\t150\u2013174 lb\t180\u2013234 lb\t240\u2013324 lb
\n5 ft 6 in
\n(66 in)\t118\u2013148 lb\t155\u2013179 lb\t186\u2013241 lb\t247\u2013334 lb
\n5 ft 7 in
\n(67 in)\t121\u2013153 lb\t159\u2013185 lb\t191\u2013249 lb\t255\u2013344 lb
\n5 ft 8 in
\n(68 in)\t125\u2013158 lb\t164\u2013190 lb\t197\u2013256 lb\t262\u2013354 lb
\n5 ft 9 in
\n(69 in)\t128\u2013162 lb\t169\u2013196 lb\t203\u2013263 lb\t270\u2013365 lb
\n5 ft 10 in
\n(70 in)\t132\u2013167 lb\t174\u2013202 lb\t209\u2013271 lb\t278\u2013376 lb
\n5 ft 11 in
\n(71 in)\t136\u2013172 lb\t179\u2013208 lb\t215\u2013279 lb\t286\u2013386 lb
\n6 ft
\n(72 in)\t140\u2013177 lb\t184\u2013213 lb\t221\u2013287 lb\t294\u2013397 lb
\n6 ft 1 in
\n(73 in)\t144\u2013182 lb\t189\u2013219 lb\t227\u2013295 lb\t302\u2013408 lb
\n6 ft 2 in
\n(74 in)\t148\u2013186 lb\t194\u2013225 lb\t233\u2013303 lb\t311\u2013420 lb
\n6 ft 3 in
\n(75 in)\t152\u2013192 lb\t200\u2013232 lb\t240\u2013311 lb\t319\u2013431 lb
\n6 ft 4 in
\n(76 in)\t156\u2013197 lb\t205\u2013238 lb\t246\u2013320 lb\t328\u2013443 lb<\/p>\n
BMI based on age
\nAge is not a factor in BMI for adults, but it is for children. This is because they are growing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source use both age and natal sex in its BMI calculations for people between the ages of 2\u201319 years.<\/p>\n
To calculate a child\u2019s BMI, a person can use the CDC\u2019s calculatorTrusted Source for children and teenagers.<\/p>\n
The CDC\u2019s BMI charts for children use percentiles that compare measurements with boysTrusted Source and girlsTrusted Source of the same age and gender.<\/p>\n
What is the problem with BMI?
\nBMI is a very simple measurement. While it takes height into consideration, it does not account for factors such as:
\n\u2022\twaist or hip measurements
\n\u2022\tthe proportion or distribution of fat
\n\u2022\tthe proportion of muscle mass<\/p>\n
These factors can affect health. For example, high-performance athletes tend to be very fit and have little body fat. They can have a high BMI because they have more muscle mass, but this does not mean they weigh too much for their height.<\/p>\n
Another limitation of BMI is that it does not distinguish between people of different ethnicities. Studies have shown that at the same BMI, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, and Mexican Americans may have significantly different levelsTrusted Source of body fat.<\/p>\n
This inaccuracy may lead to a misdiagnosis or an incorrect assessment of risk factors between individuals.<\/p>\n
BMI can offer a rough idea of whether or not a person is at a moderate weight, and it is useful for measuring trends in population studies.
\nHowever, it should not be the only measure for an individual to assess whether their weight is ideal.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the limitations of BMI.
\nWaist-to-hip ratio (WHR)<\/p>\n
A person\u2019s WHR compares their waist size with that of their hips. A high WHR indicatesTrusted Source when an individual has higher levels of visceral fat, the fat in the abdominal cavity that surrounds several major organs.<\/p>\n
Research has shown that people with a high WHR are more likely to develop CVD and diabetes.<\/p>\n
The higher the waist measurement in proportion to the hips, the greater this risk. For this reason, the WHR is a useful tool for calculating whether a person has a moderate weight and size.<\/p>\n
Measuring WHR
\nTo calculate their WHR, a person should measure around their waist at the narrowest part, usually just above the belly button. They can then divide this measurement by the width of their hip at its widest part.<\/p>\n
For example, if a person\u2019s waist is 28 inches, and their hips are 36 inches, they will divide 28 by 36, giving a WHR of 0.77.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (Online): Many people wish to know the answer to this question: how much should I weigh? There is no single ideal weight for all individuals, but various tools and calculators can offer a guide. A note about sex and gender Sex and […]<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":70082,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"yoast_head":"\n