A person’s normal weight is that body weight at which he has the maximum chance of first of all being healthy, and secondly of being attractive in appearance. Compliance with normal indicators does not provide a 100% guarantee of health, but it reduces the risk of diseases and disorders, the risk factor of which is excess body weight. Statistically, those who maintain a normal weight for their height and age feel good even after intense training.
How to calculate normal weight
In reality, optimal weight is an abstract concept that means a certain average value obtained in a calculation that takes into account the physiological parameters of a person:
- height;
- age;
- gender;
- body features.
But when calculating normal weight, individual indicators are not taken into account:
- level of physical activity;
- muscle-fat ratio.
Therefore, the value obtained from the formulas cannot be called as accurate as possible. It is only an approximate guideline that is recommended to be used when monitoring body weight.
The most accurate boundaries of normal weight are considered to be the interval from the minimum to the maximum value, which, according to doctors, a person’s body weight should fall within.
There are several ways to determine normal weight:
- by height;
- by height and age;
- by BMI (body mass index).
Formulas for determining the optimal ratio of weight and height
Ecology of life. There are different formulas for determining the optimal ratio of weight and height. But all of them are very, very conditional, since they do not take into account many factors...
There are different formulas for determining the optimal ratio of weight and height. But all of them are very, very conditional, since they do not take into account many factors: age, gender and physiological characteristics of a person. Therefore, excess fat must be assessed not only by the conditional ratios presented in this table, but also by appearance, skin thickness and a number of other factors. With the same height and weight, one person may look plump, while another may look completely normal.
The objective parameter of an ideal body is the percentage of fat and musculoskeletal tissue. For men, the norm is 9 - 15% fat of total body weight, and for women - from 12 to 20%.
Quetelet index
Knowing the Body Mass Index (BMI), you can judge whether you are obese or underweight. The index is calculated for adult men and women from 20 to 65 years old. Results may be false for pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, the elderly and adolescents (under 18 years of age). Among the many different methods for calculating ideal weight, the most popular method is the height-weight indicator, body mass index - Quetelet index.
Formula: body weight in kg divided by height in meters squared B/(P*P)
For example: height 170 cm, weight 65 kg. So 65: (1.7 * 1.7) = 22.5
The norm for men is 19-25. For women - 19-24.
| Body mass index | Classification | Risk of comorbidities |
| Less than 18.5 | Underweight | Low (increased risk of other diseases) |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal body weight | Ordinary |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Excess body weight (pre-obesity) | Elevated |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | Obesity I degree | High |
| 35.0 – 39.9 | Obesity II degree | Very tall |
| 40.0 or more | Obesity III degree | Extremely high |
The Quetelet index shows quite well the amount of fat in the body, but does not indicate how fat is distributed, in other words, it does not provide a visual or aesthetic picture. But you can test your body for perfection using one more formula.
The distribution of fat throughout the body is determined by the ratio: waist volume (at the level of the navel) divided by the volume of the buttocks.
- Norm for men: 0.85
- For women: 0.65 - 0.85.
Does age affect height-weight ratio?
The answer is clear. Yes, of course it does. It has been proven that the weight of men and women should gradually increase with age - this is a normal physiological process. The kilograms that some people consider “extra” may not actually be so. You can use a formula based on age to determine your optimal weight.
P is height in this case, and B is age in years. Body weight = 50 + 0.75 (P - 150) + (B - 20) : 4
| Height in cm | Age | ||||||||||||||
| 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | |||||||||||
| Floor | |||||||||||||||
| M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | ||||||
| 150 | 51.3 | 48.9 | 56.7 | 53.9 | 58.1 | 58.5 | 58.0 | 55.7 | 57.3 | 54.8 | |||||
| 152 | 53.1 | 51.0 | 58.7 | 55.0 | 61.5 | 59.5 | 61.0 | 57.6 | 60.3 | 55.9 | |||||
| 154 | 55.3 | 53.0 | 61.6 | 59.1 | 64.5 | 62.4 | 63.8 | 60.2 | 61.9 | 59.0 | |||||
| 156 | 58.5 | 55.8 | 64.4 | 61.5 | 67.3 | 66.0 | 65.8 | 62.4 | 63.7 | 60.9 | |||||
| 158 | 61.2 | 58.1 | 67.3 | 64.1 | 70.4 | 67.9 | 68.0 | 64.5 | 67.0 | 62.4 | |||||
| 160 | 62.9 | 59.8 | 69.4 | 65.8 | 72.3 | 69.9 | 69.7 | 65.8 | 68.2 | 64.6 | |||||
| 162 | 64.6 | 61.6 | 71.0 | 68.5 | 74.4 | 72.2 | 72.7 | 68.7 | 69.1 | 66.5 | |||||
| 164 | 67.3 | 63.6 | 73.9 | 70.8 | 77.2 | 74.0 | 75.6 | 72.0 | 72.2 | 70.7 | |||||
| 166 | 68.8 | 65.2 | 74.5 | 71.8 | 78.0 | 76.6 | 76.3 | 73.8 | 74.3 | 71.4 | |||||
| 168 | 70.8 | 68.5 | 76.2 | 73.7 | 79.6 | 78.2 | 79.5 | 74.8 | 76.0 | 73.3 | |||||
| 170 | 72.7 | 69.2 | 77.7 | 75.8 | 81.0 | 79.8 | 79.9 | 76.8 | 76.9 | 75.0 | |||||
| 172 | 74.1 | 72.8 | 79.3 | 77.0 | 82.8 | 81.7 | 81.1 | 77.7 | 78.3 | 76.3 | |||||
| 174 | 77.5 | 74.3 | 80.8 | 79.0 | 84.4 | 83.7 | 82.5 | 79.4 | 79.3 | 78.0 | |||||
| 176 | 80.8 | 76.8 | 83.3 | 79.9 | 86.0 | 84.6 | 84.1 | 80.5 | 81.9 | 79.1 | |||||
| 178 | 83.0 | 78.2 | 85.6 | 82.4 | 88.0 | 86.1 | 86.5 | 82.4 | 82.8 | 80.9 | |||||
| 180 | 85.1 | 80.9 | 88.0 | 83.9 | 89.9 | 88.1 | 87.5 | 84.1 | 84.4 | 81.6 | |||||
| 182 | 87.2 | 83.3 | 90.6 | 87.7 | 91.4 | 89.3 | 89.5 | 86.5 | 85.4 | 82.9 | |||||
| 184 | 89.1 | 85.5 | 92.0 | 89.4 | 92.9 | 90.9 | 91.6 | 87.4 | 88.0 | 85.8 | |||||
| 186 | 93.1 | 89.2 | 95.0 | 91.0 | 96.6 | 92.9 | 92.8 | 89.6 | 89.0 | 87.3 | |||||
| 188 | 95.8 | 91.8 | 97.0 | 94.4 | 98.0 | 95.8 | 95.0 | 91.5 | 91.5 | 88.8 | |||||
| 190 | 97.1 | 92.3 | 99.5 | 95.8 | 100.7 | 97.4 | 99.4 | 95.6 | 94.8 | 92.9 | |||||
Broca's formula: identifying height-age-weight relationships
One of the most popular methods for calculating ideal weight is Brock's formula. It takes into account the ratio of height, weight, body type and age of a person.
Broca's formula for people under 40 years old is “height (in cm) minus 110”, after 40 years - “height (in cm) minus 100”.
At the same time, people with an asthenic (thin-boned) body type must subtract 10% from the result, and people with a hypersthenic (broad-boned) body type must add 10% to the result.
How to determine your body type?
Body types are usually divided into THREE types:
- normosthenic,
- hypersthenic,
- asthenic.
In order to find out what your body type is, just measure the circumference of the thinnest place on your wrist with a centimeter. The resulting circumference in centimeters will be the necessary indicator (Soloviev index).
| Solovyov index | Body type | Typical for this body type | |
| for men | for women | ||
| 18-20 cm | 15-17 cm | normosthenic (normal) | the physique is distinguished by the proportionality of the main dimensions and their correct ratio |
| more than 20 cm | more than 17 cm | hypersthenic (wide-boned) | In people with a hypersthenic (broad-boned) body type, the transverse dimensions of the body are much larger than in normosthenics and especially asthenics. Their bones are thick and heavy, their shoulders, chest and hips are wide, and their legs are short. |
| less than 18 cm | less than 15 cm | asthenic (thin-boned) | In people with an asthenic (thin-boned) body type, longitudinal dimensions prevail over transverse ones: long limbs, thin bones, long, thin neck, muscles are poorly developed. |
Nagler's formula for height and weight ratio
There is a Nagler formula that allows you to calculate the ideal ratio of weight and height. For 152.4 cm of height there should be 45 kilograms of weight. For every inch (that is, 2.45 cm) over 152.4 cm there should be another 900 grams, plus another 10% of the resulting weight.
John McCallum's formula for girth ratio
One of the best formulas, created by expert methodologist John McCallum. McCallum's formula is based on measuring the circumference of the wrist.
1. 6.5 wrist circumference is equal to chest circumference.
2. 85% of the chest circumference is equal to the hip circumference.
3. To get your waist circumference, you need to take 70% of your chest circumference.
4. 53% of the chest circumference is equal to the hip circumference.
5. For the neck circumference you need to take 37% of the chest circumference.
6. Bicep circumference is about 36% of chest circumference.
7. The girth for the lower leg is slightly less than 34%.
8. The circumference of the forearm should be equal to 29% of the circumference of the chest.
But not everyone’s physical data will exactly correspond to these ratios; the numbers have an average, statistical average value.
A few more options for height and weight ratios
- The physique is considered ideal if the waist circumference is 25 cm less than the hip circumference, and the hip circumference is approximately equal to the chest circumference.
- The waist circumference should be equal to “height in centimeters - 100”. That is, a woman with a height of 172 cm will be proportionally built if her waist circumference is 72 cm, her hip and waist circumference is about 97 cm, that is, if she wears a clothing size of 48.
- If the hip circumference is less than the chest circumference, and the waist circumference is 20 cm less than the hip circumference, then this figure is called an “apple”. If the chest circumference is less than the hip circumference, and the waist circumference is 30 cm or more less than the hip circumference, this is a pear-shaped figure.
- For women and girls of average height - from 165 to 175 cm - this observation turned out to be fair. Their waist circumference in centimeters is approximately equal to their weight in kilograms. One kilogram of weight loss results in a decrease in waist size of one centimeter.
As you can see, there are many ways to calculate the optimal ratio of your height and body weight, depending on a variety of factors. But no matter how you make the calculations, the main thing is that your weight is COMFORTABLE for you. So that you feel easily and freely in your own body, love yourself and enjoy life to the fullest! - without falling into depression because during the calculations you (what if!) discovered an “excess” or “lack” of kilograms. published
PS And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet
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Calculation by height
The method of calculating normal weight by height is better known as Broca's formula, a French anthropologist. It is the most popular because it is the simplest of all. The formula is considered to be suitable for calculating normal body weight in people with a height of 155 to 185 cm.
How to calculate normal weight taking into account height using the formulas:
- For men: height (cm) - 110.
- For women: height (cm) - 100.
For example, a man’s height is 185 cm. In this case, the norm for him will be considered 185 - 110 = 75 kg. For a woman with a height of 165 cm, a healthy body weight will be 165 - 100 = 65 kg.
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When calculating using these formulas, the following must be taken into account:
- For people 20-30 years old, the calculated value should be reduced by 11%, and for those over 50 years old, it should be increased by 6%.
- Body type. It can be asthenic, normosthenic and hypersthenic. For asthenic, it is necessary to reduce the calculated norm by 10%, and for hypersthenic, on the contrary, increase by 10%.
The criterion for determining body type is the circumference of the wrist of the working hand:
- Asthenic: in women - less than 16 cm, in men - less than 17 cm.
- Normosthenic: in women - 16-18 cm, in men - 17-20 cm.
- Hypersthenic: in women - more than 18 cm, in men - more than 20 cm.
Lorentz formula
There is another way to calculate the normal weight of a woman or man, which takes into account only height. Here the calculation is carried out using the Lorentz formula:
Weight (kg) = (Height (cm) - 100) - (Height (cm) - 150)/2.
For example, for a man 190 cm tall the following are optimal:
(190 - 100) - (190 - 150)/2 = 70 kg.
Types of figures depending on body type
When assessing weight, you need to take into account your body type, which is determined at the genetic level.
For the same body fat content, a person with thinner bones weighs less than others. According to the theory put forward by Professor V.M. Chernorutsky, there are 3 types of figures:
- asthenic;
- normosthenic;
- hypersthenic.
There are three different types of human body shapes.
You can determine whether your body type belongs to one type or another using the Pignier formula:
Index = height (cm) - weight (kg) - chest circumference (cm).
If the resulting value is less than 10, the figure is classified as strong.
With a Pignier index value of 10 to 25, the physique is considered normal.
The calculated indicator is in the range from 26 to 35 for asthenics.
Too weak a constitution in people with dimensions corresponding to the Pignier index of more than 35.
Calculation of normal body weight by age and height
As such, there is no formula for normal weight depending on age and height. Here we are talking about a table of ready-made values. It indicates height, age and gender. It is enough to first find your height, then your age and gender, and find the value at the intersection of the required row and column. This will be your optimal body weight. The table below shows the normal weight of a person by age and height.
This formula can be used to calculate weight for most people, except:
- professional athletes;
- pregnant women;
- people suffering from edema and other disorders that lead to excess weight.
Quetelet index
Knowing the Body Mass Index (BMI), you can judge whether you are obese or underweight. The index is calculated for adult men and women from 20 to 65 years old. Results may be false for pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, the elderly and adolescents (under 18 years of age). Among the many different methods for calculating ideal weight, the most popular method is the height-weight indicator, body mass index - Quetelet index.
Formula: body weight in kg divided by height in meters squared B/(P*P) For example: height 170 cm, weight 65 kg. So 65: (1.7 * 1.7) = 22.5
The norm for men is 19-25. For women - 19-24.
| Body mass index | Classification | Risk of comorbidities |
| Less than 18.5 | Underweight | Low (increased risk of other diseases) |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal body weight | Ordinary |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Excess body weight (pre-obesity) | Elevated |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | Obesity I degree | High |
| 35.0 – 39.9 | Obesity II degree | Very tall |
| 40.0 or more | Obesity III degree | Extremely high |
The Quetelet index shows quite well the amount of fat in the body, but does not indicate how fat is distributed, in other words, it does not provide a visual or aesthetic picture. But you can test your body for perfection using one more formula.
The distribution of fat throughout the body is determined by the ratio: waist volume (at the level of the navel) divided by the volume of the buttocks.
- Norm for men: 0.85
- For women: 0.65 - 0.85.
Does age affect height-weight ratio?
The answer is clear. Yes, of course it does. It has been proven that the weight of men and women should gradually increase with age - this is a normal physiological process. The kilograms that some people consider “extra” may not actually be so. You can use a formula based on age to determine your optimal weight.
P is height in this case, and B is age in years. Body weight = 50 + 0.75 (P - 150) + (B - 20) : 4
| Height in cm | Age | ||||||||||||||
| 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | |||||||||||
| Floor | |||||||||||||||
| M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | M | AND | ||||||
| 150 | 51.3 | 48.9 | 56.7 | 53.9 | 58.1 | 58.5 | 58.0 | 55.7 | 57.3 | 54.8 | |||||
| 152 | 53.1 | 51.0 | 58.7 | 55.0 | 61.5 | 59.5 | 61.0 | 57.6 | 60.3 | 55.9 | |||||
| 154 | 55.3 | 53.0 | 61.6 | 59.1 | 64.5 | 62.4 | 63.8 | 60.2 | 61.9 | 59.0 | |||||
| 156 | 58.5 | 55.8 | 64.4 | 61.5 | 67.3 | 66.0 | 65.8 | 62.4 | 63.7 | 60.9 | |||||
| 158 | 61.2 | 58.1 | 67.3 | 64.1 | 70.4 | 67.9 | 68.0 | 64.5 | 67.0 | 62.4 | |||||
| 160 | 62.9 | 59.8 | 69.4 | 65.8 | 72.3 | 69.9 | 69.7 | 65.8 | 68.2 | 64.6 | |||||
| 162 | 64.6 | 61.6 | 71.0 | 68.5 | 74.4 | 72.2 | 72.7 | 68.7 | 69.1 | 66.5 | |||||
| 164 | 67.3 | 63.6 | 73.9 | 70.8 | 77.2 | 74.0 | 75.6 | 72.0 | 72.2 | 70.7 | |||||
| 166 | 68.8 | 65.2 | 74.5 | 71.8 | 78.0 | 76.6 | 76.3 | 73.8 | 74.3 | 71.4 | |||||
| 168 | 70.8 | 68.5 | 76.2 | 73.7 | 79.6 | 78.2 | 79.5 | 74.8 | 76.0 | 73.3 | |||||
| 170 | 72.7 | 69.2 | 77.7 | 75.8 | 81.0 | 79.8 | 79.9 | 76.8 | 76.9 | 75.0 | |||||
| 172 | 74.1 | 72.8 | 79.3 | 77.0 | 82.8 | 81.7 | 81.1 | 77.7 | 78.3 | 76.3 | |||||
| 174 | 77.5 | 74.3 | 80.8 | 79.0 | 84.4 | 83.7 | 82.5 | 79.4 | 79.3 | 78.0 | |||||
| 176 | 80.8 | 76.8 | 83.3 | 79.9 | 86.0 | 84.6 | 84.1 | 80.5 | 81.9 | 79.1 | |||||
| 178 | 83.0 | 78.2 | 85.6 | 82.4 | 88.0 | 86.1 | 86.5 | 82.4 | 82.8 | 80.9 | |||||
| 180 | 85.1 | 80.9 | 88.0 | 83.9 | 89.9 | 88.1 | 87.5 | 84.1 | 84.4 | 81.6 | |||||
| 182 | 87.2 | 83.3 | 90.6 | 87.7 | 91.4 | 89.3 | 89.5 | 86.5 | 85.4 | 82.9 | |||||
| 184 | 89.1 | 85.5 | 92.0 | 89.4 | 92.9 | 90.9 | 91.6 | 87.4 | 88.0 | 85.8 | |||||
| 186 | 93.1 | 89.2 | 95.0 | 91.0 | 96.6 | 92.9 | 92.8 | 89.6 | 89.0 | 87.3 | |||||
| 188 | 95.8 | 91.8 | 97.0 | 94.4 | 98.0 | 95.8 | 95.0 | 91.5 | 91.5 | 88.8 | |||||
| 190 | 97.1 | 92.3 | 99.5 | 95.8 | 100.7 | 97.4 | 99.4 | 95.6 | 94.8 | 92.9 | |||||
Calculation by body mass index
Another popular way to determine a person’s normal weight requires calculating the body mass index (BMI). But this technique is designed a little differently - it does not calculate a specific value of body weight, but determines whether it corresponds to the norm. BMI allows you to assess whether your body weight is overweight, normal or underweight.
The formula for calculating normal weight here is as follows:
BMI = Weight (kg)/Height2 (m).
With a weight of 75 kg and a height of 180 cm, the BMI will be 75/1.8 · 1.8 = 23.15.
The number obtained by the formula remains to be compared with the following values:
- less than 15 - acute lack of weight;
- 15-20 - underweight;
- 20-25 - normal weight;
- 25-30 - overweight;
- 30-35 - 1st degree obesity;
- 35-40 - 2nd degree obesity;
- more than 40 - third degree obesity.
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The optimal weight is considered to be one that corresponds to a BMI of 23. It is the calculation based on body mass index that is the most accurate today. It is designed for ordinary people, taking into account modern living conditions, medical advances and the latest observations. The BMI method is also recommended by WHO.
But the calculated value again turns out to be averaged. For example, athletes and weightlifters may have a higher BMI, but their body weight will not be considered obese. In addition, many who have a normal weight according to their BMI consider themselves overweight. This is possible because the technique does not take into account body type.
With the same BMI, the amount of fat and muscle may be different. Therefore, those who, even with a normal BMI, are not satisfied with their figure, are recommended to simply take up fitness and start following proper nutrition. For those who decide to improve their figure, sports nutrition and dietary products may be useful.
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How does age affect body weight?
Doctors believe that a person grows until he is 25 years old. From birth to 25 years of age, a person has an accelerated metabolism, which allows food to be quickly digested and absorbed. Over time, such processes slow down. As soon as women turn 30-35 years old, and men approach 35-40 years old, their metabolism slows down. At this time, you may notice that the amount of body fat has increased. If you gain a little weight in your body, this will already be considered a deviation.
Weight management is carried out by the brain, namely adipostat. The quality of its work depends on the rate of burning fat deposits and the production of hormones that are responsible for appetite. If this balance is disrupted, body volumes begin to gradually increase.
Stress, toxins, eating fast food, lack of exercise, and problems with the endocrine system can also cause imbalance.
Methods for calculating body fat percentage
Many people want to get rid of fat as much as possible. But in fact, it performs many important functions, and the body cannot live without fat at all. In women, with a lack of fat mass, the menstrual cycle and the functioning of the reproductive system are disrupted. Fat also regulates energy balance and performs protective and heat-insulating functions.
For the female body, 15-31% body fat is considered normal, and for the male body - 14-25%. Methods for determining the amount of fat mass in the body:
- Special floor scales-analyzers with measurement of fat percentage. A simple but not very accurate method. To determine the percentage, just step on the scale and look at the displayed values.
- Caliper. A special device that allows you to measure the thickness of the fat fold. The value is compared with a special table, from which the percentage of fat is determined. The fold is measured 10 cm to the right of the navel, approximately 3-4 cm from the femur. The fold must be pinched and measured with a caliper.
- Hydrostatic weighing. The most accurate, but difficult to perform method, since it is necessary to contact a specialized institution. The measurement is made using a bathtub into which a person is immersed. Then the percentage of fat is determined by the volume of displaced liquid.
Another simple way to measure your body fat percentage is to compare yourself to a photo of your body with different amounts of body fat.
It is enough to find in the photo the picture that most closely resembles the outline of your figure. The method is not very accurate, but it allows you to determine how the body looks from the outside.
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