Ideal Body Weight Varies from Person to Person

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  states that 98 million Americans are obese. 

It might seem like an easy solution for people to lose weight and be healthier, but how much weight and what an ideal weight looks like for every individual can be less clear.

A person’s ideal body weight, according to the CDC, can be affected by individual factors including age, muscle to fat ratio, height, sex, and bone density.

To find your ideal body weight, researchers have determined ways to use individual measurements to determine a healthy weight specific to you, according to the CDC.

Healthy Body Assessment

Researchers commonly calculate body mass index (BMI) to determine whether a person is underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese. BMI is determined using a formula that considers height and weight. 

But the National Institutes of Health (NIH) knows using BMI alone has some limitations. 

The BMI calculation can overestimate fat in people with a muscular build, such as athletes, according to the NIH. It also can underestimate body fat in older people and people who have lost muscle. 

Some BMI calculations account for a range for small, medium, and large body frames, which leaves room for people with varying body types to find their ideal body weight more accurately. 

Another option, which offers a more complete evaluation, pairs your BMI with your waist circumference, according to the NIH. Carrying most of your body fat around your waist rather than at your hips puts you at a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. 

Aside from BMI and waist circumference, the NIH also recommends considering the following factors when determining your ideal body weight:

• cigarette smoking
• family history of premature heart disease
• genetics
• high blood sugar
• high LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
• high triglycerides
• hypertension
• physical inactivity

Staying in control of your weight is a lifelong journey of making healthy food choices, making time for exercise, and having willpower. 

For more information about ideal body weight, talk with your doctor or visit https://www.premierphysiciannet.com/ to find a physician.