What is the Ideal Weight for my Height?
 |
Calculating ideal weight for height is one way of determining whether one is over or underweight. This method also takes into account the frame size of a person. So for example, frame might be calculated by measuring the distance between the sides of the right elbow when the arm is extended in front of the chest, and the elbow bends so the forearm is parallel to the body.
A medium frame measurement of this type would be 2.75 to 3 inches (6.98-7.62 cm) in a man that is 68 to 71 inches (1.72 -1.8m) tall. In a woman that is 64-67 inches (1.62-1.7m) tall, medium frame measurement of the elbow would be between 2.25 to 2.5 inches (5.71-6.35cm).
The ideal weight of a medium frame woman measuring 64-67 inches is between 124-147 pounds. This leads to a lot of variance in what would be considered an ideal weight. Some people simply state that for women, 5 pounds (2.26 kg) over 100 pounds (45.39kg) should be accorded for every inch over 5 feet (1.52 m). So a woman who is 5’2”(1.57m) has an ideal weight of 110 pounds (49.89 kg).
In this model, men are allowed one to two pounds more (.45-.90kg) per inch than women, given that their frames are generally larger. This is a fairly good way to get a quick estimate of ideal weight for height.
People who exercise and are physically fit tend to have more lean muscle mass and lower levels of fat tissue than people who are not physically fit. Muscle tissue weighs more, and this does not necessarily affect the actual frame of the person. In order to get an ideal weight for height, one may need to do a body fat composition test to more accurately measure the good tissue “muscle” versus the “bad” fat tissue.
Fit people tend to weigh more than the simple height/weight comparison allows, particularly if they are muscle-bound. So it would not be unusual for our woman above who is 5’2” to weigh more than 110 pounds and still be at an ideal weight. Individual variations are going to affect ideal weight figures for each person.
A good personal trainer, nutritionist, or doctor can help one analyze ideal weight from several complex tables, rather than from simple weight to height ratio. The results may suggest weight loss is in order, or provide the person wishing to lose weight with a pleasant surprise about their current weight.
|
Related wiseGEEK articles
Category
|
New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: anon18850
Hello to all, I am 25, 5'2 and weigh somewhere within the range of 112-114LBS, depending on what part of the day I weigh myself. My frame is curvy, but small, however I am only 62 inches. As a kid and teen I was always very close to 105lbs. I would like to be under 110lbs, as my goal weight, even 110 is good. I am and have always been a size 0 to 3 so the size is not the concern, really it is because I am short and leaner does look better. All and all I am happy where I am at. I work out 5 days each week as well as try to eat somewhat healthy. In my opinion a female who is 5'2, & 110lbs or less is ideal and that is not considered to be boney. To be boney at 5'2 and underweight you would have to be 80-95lbs. Also, I am not saying anything over 110lbs does not look good as these days a LITTLE meat is hotter, but for me at 5'2, 110lbs is very stunning for my height, and especially when you live a Fla. and are always in a swim suit.
Posted by: anon17759
I am actually 5'4 and i weigh 141 pounds and i am perfectly fine and i have a medium frame and i always get comments on how good i look and i dont feel fat, nor look fat so i think i am healthy and if you are 5'4 and weight less than 120 pounds i dont think that's healthy at all.
Posted by: AshleyAnn619
I am 5'3" I weight 150 lbs but I'm not FAT. I actually have a butt and boobs but everything online says I'm overweight. Should I lose a few pounds??
Posted by: anon15993
I am 31 and 5'6" and 143 lbs. I would like to lose no more than 6 lbs. If I lose anymore than that, my cheekbones look sunken in, my arms are very bony and I get sick more often. I dont know why this is. So, basically anything from 138-144 is a healthy weight range for me, and I prefer to be healthy, because I care for myself, unlike all those anorexic women in hollywood.
Posted by: anon15055
I'm 5'7". When I was in High School I went on a zero fat diet and weighed 125 lbs. Even though that's a standard weight, my bones stuck out and people thought I was anorexic. I now weigh 146 lbs and people still sometimes say i look too thin. i think skeletal frame is important to consider, and simple weight and BMI calculations are always accurate.
Posted by: anon13972
HI - i think the important point this article raises in the weight debate is that frame size which is the actual size of your skeleton as we are not all the same
often this is overlooked... thus a medium frame 5 foot 2 person will carry more weight in order to look healthy then a petite frame... same height, different frame, different weight range so if you all are medium frame then you are all within the right weight range.. thus should be feeling and looking great they give the elbow measurements to help determine frame size but if you google you will find out the wrist measurement ranges that determine frame size.
Posted by: anon13908
I am 25 y/o and I'm 5'2" and I weigh 134lbs. now. And most people told me that I look kinda fat and I think I am too. When I was just 20, i used to weigh 110lbs., but I wasn't skinny at all. I have sized 36, cup C for my boobs and i have round butt. Ideal weight is not really a big deal, it's basically on how you look and feel about yourself.
Posted by: anon12027
at 5'3" in college i weighed 115. I had no boobs and little butt. I could pass for a young high schooler. now at 135 i love my boobs and round butt. I wear a size 6 and get more male attention. I don't think they like bony females. forget the BMI. go for what looks good on you!!
Posted by: anon8491
I am laughing at the people here who think that 5'2" , 110 lbs is skinny but think 125-130 is okay. Steffi Graff, when she was the number one tennis player in the world, was extremely athletic looking with great muscles in her legs, and was 5'10", 130 lbs. If you were to get her down to 5'2" she would have been like 105 and that is with an athletic build.
Posted by: anon5941
I'm 5 ft even. 100lbs was ideal for me in high school, but I've been out of high school for 10 years and now my idea weight is about 120lbs. With 0% body fat I'd weigh 92 lbs, so 100lbs would put my body fat percentage WAY too low to be healthy.
Posted by: olittlewood
i think everyone is right on this topic. the article is a good place to start on figuring out the ideal weight for your height, but people have such different body types it is difficult to give a pat answer to that. i have a friend who is the same height, who can weight 15 pounds more than me and be a smaller size. it all comes down to the weight YOU feel healthiest and happiest at!
Posted by: anon5434
im 5'3" and 134 lbs. in europe i'd be considered a bit overweight... here in america people would compliment on my appearance ... from the cultural point of view i would disregard the "ideal" weight-height chart. the ideal weight is when you start feeling comfortable in your own skin and realize that there are more important things in life than just weight... so when your focus is not on your weight... your body will take a natural direction towards trimming down and just enjoy life -going to the gym because you love the rush you get from exercising and not because you need to lose weight, going hiking to contemplate and admire nature not for the purpose of losing weight, taking a walk with your friend/family member just to catch up etc...
Posted by: anon5363
I agree with the first comment -- I am 5'2'', athletic, and somewhere between 125-130 lbs. If I were to weigh 110 lbs I would look way too thin. I would have to lose much of my muscle mass. I think the "ideal" to go for is a strong, healthy body.
Posted by: anon4727
I think these weights, like the BMI charts, are just averages or estimates. They're not dispositive, especially since there are so many factors to consider. Only your doctor, who can make a case-by-case determination, can really give you good advice on whether you are at your ideal weight for your height.
Posted by: anon4569
I am 5'4" and weigh 124 lbs. I feel fat. I used to weigh 115 lbs & looked and felt great.
Posted by: anon3342
I was appalled to see the "Ideal" for a woman my height, 5'2", listed as 110lbs. I don't have a dainty, pixie type skeleton, but I am not "stocky" either, being average boned. When I weighed 110 in college, I had NO BREASTS, very little body fat except for a little on my buttocks, my head looked too large, and my upper arms were just bone...making my elbows look enormous. For fertility purposes ALONE, not to mention maintaining a healthy immune system, a woman should have SOME body fat. Muscle is also important. 120-130 is a much better weight.
|
Written by
Tricia Ellis-Christensen
copyright © 2003 - 2008
conjecture corporation
