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What's the best way to determine a healthy weight? Find out what your body mass index is by using our handy interactive BMI calculator, or use our height-weight chart to help you stay within the recommended range.
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- Overview
- Body mass index (BMI)
- What is the recommended weight for my height?
- Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
- Waist-to-height ratio
- Body fat percentage
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
Many people wish to know the answer to this question: how much should I weigh? There is no single ideal weight for all individuals. While various tools and calculators offer a guide, they may not be accurate in all cases.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
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Tools to calculate a moderate weight range rely on factors such as age, height, and sex assigned at birth. However, everybody is different, and no single formula can determine a person’s ideal weight.
No one measure of body size can tell a person their exact health status or potential health risks. Eating a nutritious, balanced diet, exercising, and other lifestyle habits can support improved health regardless of a person’s weight.
BMI is a common tool that measures a person’s weight in relation to their height. A BMI calculation provides a single number, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes as follows:
•A BMI of less than 18.5 suggests underweight.
•A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 suggests a healthy weight range.
•A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 may indicate overweight.
•A BMI of 30 or higher may indicate obesity.
However, the CDC also notes that BMI does not assess an individual’s body composition or their health. It is a screening tool that people should use alongside other tests and assessments to determine potential health risks.
The following weight and height chart uses BMI tables from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide a general guideline for categories of moderate (“normal”) weight, overweight, obesity, and severe obesity.
BMI is just one tool to understand body size, and it does not account for all of the ways that people’s bodies may differ. A person can talk with their doctor if they have questions about calculating or interpreting their BMI score.
A person’s WHR compares their waist size with that of their hips. A high WHR is has associations with higher levels of visceral fat, the fat in the abdominal cavity that surrounds several major organs.
For this reason, the WHR can be a useful tool for understanding potential health risks when considered alongside other assessments of health status.
The waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) is another tool to assess body size. It compares a person’s waist circumference to their height.
According to 2015 research, higher WtHR has associations with worse cholesterol and blood pressure, even at a healthy BMI. For this reason, WtHR may be helpful when assessing health risk when used along with other measures of health.
Body fat percentage is the weight of a person’s fat divided by their total weight. This includes fat found in many different parts of the body.
Body fat is necessary for the human body to function. An individual needs a type called essential fat to survive — it is critical for the development of the brain, bone marrow, nerves, and membranes.
How much should you weigh for your age?
Body mass index (BMI) measurements do not take into account a person’s age. Therefore, based on BMI, it is not possible to suggest an ideal weight for a person’s age. Rather, a person’s ideal BMI is based on their weight and height.
How do I determine my ideal weight?
One method a person can use to determine their ideal weight is body mass index (BMI) measurements. This involves dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters) to arrive at a BMI score.
What is a good weight for a 5′ 4″ female?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a good weight for a person who is 5 foot (ft) 4 inches (in) tall ranges from 110–140 pounds (lbs).
An ideal body weight can mean different things to different people.
BMI, WHR, WtHR, and body-fat percentage are four ways of assessing weight status. Combining results from them may be the best way to get an accurate idea of whether a person’s body size is considered moderate.
However, body size alone does not offer a complete picture of a person’s health.
Anyone with concerns about their weight, waist size, or body composition should speak with a doctor about their individual health and how to manage any potential risk factors.
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Aug 28, 2024 · How much you should weigh for your height and age depends on several factors. Learn more about how to measure health and weight, such as BMI, body fat percentage, and other ratios.
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Jan 12, 2024 · Wondering how much you should weigh? Explore a variety of charts to determine your ideal weight in relation to your height, age, gender and more.
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www.verywellfit.com · ideal-weight-calculatorIdeal Weight Calculator: Weight, Height, and BMI Charts
Jul 26, 2022 · If you're wondering what your ideal weight is based on your height, this chart which is based on the updated equations, can help. Height (in feet and inches) Women (in pounds)
