It is interesting to note that there are some variations in the healthy weight charts that are available. These charts really are just a guide. There is a lot of variation in what is considered “normal”. Things to take into account are age, build, amount of muscle, and whether you are you very tall or very short. All of these things make a difference in whether standard charts are accurate for any given individual. That said they can still be a useful guide as to how our weight is going.
| Height | Weight without clothes: | |
| | | |
| | 19-34 years | 35 years and over |
| 5'0" | 97-128 | 108-138 |
| 5'2" | 104-137 | 115-148 |
| 5'4" | 111-146 | 122-157 |
| 5'6" | 118-155 | 130-167 |
| 5'8" | 125-164 | 138-178 |
| 5'10" | 132-174 | 146-188 |
| 6'0" | 140-184 | 155-199 |
| 6'2" | 148-195 | 164-210 |
| 6'4" | 156-205 | 173-222 |
BMI
To complicate things even more the old style weight chart is not used as much any more. It has been replaced by the BMI. That is the Body Mass Index. This is based on both your weight and height and is a simple way to check if your weight is in the healthy range. It is considered, for most people, to be a reliable way of telling if your weight is putting your health at risk.
Here is a formula used to determine BMI.
BMI =
weight (pounds)x 703
Height squared (inches²)
If working it out in metric measurements the formula is:
Your weight in kilos divided by your height in meters squared.
If you are not keen on doing the math yourself, just use the calculator at the top of the page.
BMI categories:
Underweight – less than 18.5
Normal weight – 18.5 – 24.9
Overweight – 25 – 29.9
Obese – 30 - 35
There is some difference in opinion on the 18.5 – 19.9 BMI. Some charts count these as underweight and some as normal. There are also other classifications when the BMI above 35.
Waist Measurement
The latest method of gauging overweight is the waist measurement. Again, there is some variation in the measurements that are given and some thought that different measurements are appropriate for different racial groups. Also this method is not suitable for anyone under 18 or over 65.
It is now believed that how much fat you have around your tummy is an important indicator of increased health risks. Carrying fat around your waist is considered more of a health risk than if the fat is mainly in the hips and thighs. This is because it is an indicator of internal fat deposits which can coat the heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas and increase the risk of chronic disease.
Even if your BMI is in the normal range it is important for your waist measurement to be within the guidelines.
Women – 35 inches (88 cm) or the other variation is 32 inches (80 cm)
Men – 40 inches (102 cm) or 37 inches (94 cm)
Waist to Hip Ratio
Another way to look at this is the waist to hip ratio. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. (hips being the widest part below your waist)
Women should have a waist to hip ratio of .8 or less
Men should have a waist to hip ratio of .95 or less
If you find that your weight is not being kind to your health, find support to do something about it. Help from a health professional as well as help from a friend or family is useful. It is always easier to deal with the hard things in life if you have someone to support you in it.
Good luck with your weight
Keep in good health
Jocelyn
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