24. September 2009

Ideal Body Weight

Ideal body weight is commonly determined by the height-weight tables developed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. According to Dr. Sturges, these are helpful but not really accurate. They do not take into account the athlete who is overweight because of extra muscle, or the normal weight person who has too much fat in proportion to other body components.

Height & Weight Table For Women¹

Height Feet Inches	Small Frame	Medium Frame	Large Frame
4′ 10″	102-111	109-121	118-131
4′ 11″	103-113	111-123	120-134
5′ 0″	104-115	113-126	122-137
5′ 1″	106-118	115-129	125-140
5′ 2″	108-121	118-132	128-143
5′ 3″	111-124	121-135	131-147
5′ 4″	114-127	124-138	134-151
5′ 5″	117-130	127-141	137-155
5′ 6″	120-133	130-144	140-159
5′ 7″	123-136	133-147	143-163
5′ 8″	126-139	136-150	146-167
5′ 9″	129-142	139-153	149-170
5′ 10″	132-145	142-156	152-173
5′ 11″	135-148	145-159	155-176
6′ 0″	138-151	148-162	158-179
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds according to frame (in indoor clothing weighing 3 lbs.; shoes with 1″ heels)

Height & Weight Table For Men²

Height Feet Inches	Small Frame	Medium Frame	Large Frame
5′ 2″	128-134	131-141	138-150
5′ 3″	130-136	133-143	140-153
5” 4″	132-138	135-145	142-156
5′ 5″	134-140	137-148	144-160
5′ 6″	136-142	139-151	146-164
5′ 7″	138-145	142-154	149-168
5′ 8″	140-148	145-157	152-172
5′ 9″	142-151	148-160	155-176
5′ 10″	144-154	151-163	158-180
5′ 11″	146-157	154-166	161-184
6′ 0″	149-160	157-170	164-188
6′ 1″	152-164	160-174	168-192
6′ 2″	155-168	164-178	172-197
6′ 3″	158-172	167-182	176-202
6′ 4″	162-176	171-187	181-207
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds according to frame (in indoor clothing weighing 5 lbs.; shoes with 1″ heels)

So you can try this formula:

Women: 100 lbs. for the first 5 ft. in height plus 5 lbs/inch additional.
Men: 106 lbs. for the first 5 ft. in height plus 6 lbs/inch additional>
For small frame subtract 10% :
For large frame add 10%

There is also the Body Mass Index method of determining body weight. Here one takes the body weight in kilograms and divides it by the height in meters squared (kg/m2). In adults the normal range is 20-25.

The triceps skin fold measurement is another method for direct measurement of fat. It is simple, and quite accurate in persons under 30. Men are allowed up to 15 mm, and women up to 25 mm thickness.

Other methods, such as ultra sound and underwater weighing, are also available. A most significant determination of obesity is what the person himself thinks as he looks at himself in the mirror!

chart source