Healthy Cooking Columns

How Much Should You Weigh? (cont.)

The table below shows the range of weights for a normal Body Mass Index. Research shows that a healthier weight should fall between the weights for a BMI of 19 to 25.  BMI is not a perfect indicator, however, and should be used as a guide.

For instance, if you are 63 inches tall (5 foot 3 inches), a good range for a healthy weight is between 107 lbs. and 141 lbs. Look at the table below to see if your weight falls within the normal range – or use the BMI calculator in the left-hand column of this page.

Normal Weight Body Mass Index

BMI 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Height
(inches)		 Body Weight (pounds)
58 91 96 100 105 110 115 119
59 94 99 104 109 114 119 124
60 97 102 107 112 118 123 128
61 100 106 111 116 122 127 132
62 104 109 115 120 126 131 136
63 107 113 118 124 130 135 141
64 110 116 122 128 134 140 145
65 114 120 126 132 138 144 150
66 118 124 130 136 142 148 155
67 121 127 134 140 146 153 159
68 125 131 138 144 151 158 164
69 128 135 142 149 155 162 169
70 132 139 146 153 160 167 174
71 136 143 150 157 165 172 179
72 140 147 154 162 169 177 184
73 144 151 159 166 174 182 189
74 148 155 163 171 179 186 194
75 152 160 168 176 184 192 200
76 156 164 172 180 189 197 205

This table shows the World Health Organization’s definition of what range of Body Mass Index means in terms of weight.

Body Mass Index Clinical Definition of:
Less than 18.5 underweight
18.5 to 24.9 normal weight
25 to 29.9 overweight
30 or more obese
greater than 35 very obese

While BMI information is not perfect, it is a pretty good guide for the majority of the population. (Who are the exceptions?)

Possibly an even more important measure of your weight with respect to your health is the Waist to Hip Ratio »

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