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How to Use Height and Weight Charts to Calculate Ideal Weight

More than two-thirds of the adult American population is overweight or obese, according to 2005-2006 statistics provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Data such as this indicates the need for health and fitness education on a national level. The most basic requirement to understanding and reducing the obesity rate is for individual knowledge on appropriate, healthy weight ranges. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a newer method of determining whether an individual has a healthy body weight. BMI can be difficult to calculate and sometimes gives inaccurate information for those with above average percentages of muscle. For this reason, it may be beneficial to use a height and weight chart to determine your ideal weight.

How to Use Height and Weight Charts to Calculate Ideal Weight

Instructions

1

Find your height on the left-hand side of the chart. Follow it across the chart to find information on your current and ideal weight.
2

Use your gender, age or body frame size to determine your ideal weight. Height and weight charts differ in the additional information they use to determine appropriate weight ranges. Make sure you are reading the chart correctly to avoid confusion in this area.
3

Measure the distance around your wrist as directed on some charts to determine your body frame size. Very small differences in measurement determine body frame size. Assume a medium body frame if you are uncertain about your results in this step.

Tips & Warnings

Use your results from the height and weight chart to determine appropriate diet and weight loss goals, but remember that these numbers are not written in stone. Every body is different and a weight that looks good on one person may be too much or too little on another.

Compare your results from the height and weight chart to suggestions based on BMI. By comparing the two, you get a clearer picture of reasonable goals.