What Is Your Healthy Weight?

In a day in age when it seems like the whole world is obsessed with being skinny, maybe it is time that we take a realistic look at what healthy actually looks like. There are definite health concerns that come with having excess body fat , but the same goes for the opposite. Being too skinny can be just as unhealthy and because of societys skewed perspective on what is the “normal” weight many people are actually underweight or at least borderline. To determine if you are actually at a healthy weight you first need to know how to measure this.

Your healthy weight is based on your Body Mass Index or BMI. Doctors commonly use this measurement to determine if a person is overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight. Of course your BMI is a general guide and there are always exceptions such as pregnant women, those with thyroid problems, children, and the elderly. Your BMI is calculated from your weight and height and determines if you are a healthy weight according to these measurements. Everyone has different body types and genetic make ups and sometimes the BMI chart can be a little bit off but is a good tool to use as a general guideline. Your BMI = [Weight in pounds ÷ Height in inches ÷ Height in inches] x 703. For example somone who weighs 210 pounds and is 6 feet tall would have a BMI of 28.5. This is derived from 210 pounds divided by 72 inches divided by 72 inches multiplied by 703. According to the BMI chart those who have a score below 18.5 are considered underweight, those who score between 18.5 to 24.9 are normal, those with a score from 25 to 29.9 are overweight, and people that score 30 and above are obeses.