Ideal Body Weight: Unpacking the Myths and Realities of Popular Formulas

Prerex- Maintaining an ideal weight range is necessary to stay healthy. There are formulas to assess your ideal weight range. Join us, as we explore the formulas to determine ideal weight. 

Ideal body weight is defined as the weight related to your maximum life expectancy based on your height. Knowing the ideal body weight can help you set fitness goals to maintain a healthy weight. There are various ideal body weight formula options that consider your gender, weight, height, etc. 

Let us take a look at the various popular formulas used to determine ideal body weight and limitations. 

The Popular Formulas to Calculate Ideal Body Weight 

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The BMI or Body Mass Index is one of the most popular formulas to calculate your ideal weight. It is a tool that determines your body fat based on the ratio of your weight to height. BMI is also one of the common assessment tools that is used to categorize and determine healthy weight.

The BMI can be calculated as: weight (kg) ÷ height^2 (meters). 

The BMI chart for adults includes the following categories —

Underweight – below 18.5

Normal or ideal weight – between 18.5 to 24.9

Overweight – between 25.0 to 29.9

Obese — 30.0 and above 

The BMI chart can also be inaccurate and flawed. This tool does not consider other important factors apart from the height and weight. It does not include body mass, bone density, overall body composition, etc. The BMI formula doesn’t include the distribution of weight in your body. It is not a perfect tool to assess your health. 

You can check your BMI in our free calculator.

BMI Calculator

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)

The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a formula to determine the amount of body fat present around the middle of one’s body. It helps determine the chances of cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, and diabetes.

The formula to calculate WHR is waist circumference ÷ hip circumference at the broadest point. 

The chart includes a low, moderate, and high ratio. 

A low WHR is 0.95 or lower for men and 0.80 or lower for women.

A moderate WHR is 0.9 or less for men and 0.85 or less for women.

A high WHR is 1.0 or higher for men and 0.86 or higher for women. 

This tool is considered to be a better assessment tool than BMI. It is a better indicator of wellness. 

However, the WHR can turn out to be inaccurate. This happens because of the two separate measurements. It also makes it harder to determine the exact circumference for your waist and hips. 

Conclusion 

It is important that you maintain a healthy weight. You can calculate your ideal weight to adjust your goals accordingly. A healthy weight range can improve your health and overall well-being. It also helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases and illnesses. 

Summary 

There are various popular formulas to calculate your ideal body weight. BMI is the most common tool for determining ideal weight along with WHR. However, these tools also have their own limitations.