Healthy Weight Estimation – An Overview

There are several methods in use to determine what a healthy weight should be. For a very long time it was based on the weight-for-height tables set by the Metropolitan Life insurance Company. These tables were established from studies on large population groups. The tables were predicting the ideal weight at a specific height based on the gender and body frame size. However, while this may offer a good estimate associated with health and life expectancy there was no direct reference to an individual’s weight and health condition.

It is essential, when establishing a healthy weight for an individual, in addition to table parameters, the family history, for weight related diseases and the current health status of the individual to be considered. The current weight-for-height standards can only be seen as a rough guide. Simply, thin is in no way synonymous with health if an individual is not fit and physically active and, a healthy life style may contribute more to a person’s health than just the number on the scale.

An individual, under the guidance of a health care provider, need to establish his or her personal healthy weight based on family history of weight related disease, body fat distribution and metabolism, body shape, history and current status of health. Currently in nutritional literature these tables are less in use and focus on Body Mass index (BMI) is of greater interest. According to BMI excess weight and health risks begins when body mass index exceeds 25. BMI is calculated as

Body weight (in kilograms)
heihght² (in meters)

Or

Weight (pounds) x 703.1
height² (inches)

BMI concept is easy and convenient to use as it applies to both men and women.
While over fat and over weight usually appear together when we set guide lines we should concern about over fat. For example, an athlete can be overweight but not over fat as the extra weight is from muscle mass not from fat. This is a good enough reason for any weight-for-height measurement to be used only to test for obesity. It is often convenient to focus on weight-for height standards as are a lot easier to measure than total fat in the body.

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