About Ideal Body Weight

Maintaining an ideal body weight can significantly reduce your risk of a number of serious diseases and conditions. These include, but are not limited to, heart disease, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and muscular/skeletal disorders.

Determining Ideal Body Weight

If you would compare a modern ideal body weight chart with one that was written in the 1950s, you would see some significant differences. You'll notice that the modern body weight requirements are somewhat higher. This is because many people are now involved in weight-training programs. Since these program may increase bone density, and since muscle weighs more than fat, a fit person might weigh more than an unfit person of the same height.

Body Weight vs. Body Fat

In many cases, the results of a body fat test are more significant than a body weight chart. These can be done by immersing the body in water or by using a skin caliber.

Calculating Ideal Body Weight

Your ideal body weight is calculated using a combination of factors. These include your height, gender and body frame. There are a number of body weight charts online that let you enter this information to determine you ideal body weight (see Resources).

Ideal Weight vs. Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index chart, otherwise known as BMI, indicates a numerical value of your weight in proportion to your height; 18.5 to 24.9 are considered healthy (see Resources).

Hip to Waist Ratio Charts

Ideal body weight is not only determined by how much fat you have. The location of your body fat has a significant influence on your health (see Resources).

Pear-Shaped Bodies

Pear-shaped bodies have wider hips and buttocks. When they lose weight, they usually lose it from their upper body. This body shape is not associated with any type of disease or condition.

Apple-Shaped Bodies

Apple-shaped bodies accumulate fat around the abdomen. This body type is associated with diabetes and heart disease.