Determination of optimal body weight. Normal human weight - how to calculate
Many representatives of the stronger and fairer sex worry about the condition of their own figure. To determine a parameter called body mass index, the calculation formula is a medically recognized and objective method. It allows you to assess how well these two indicators correspond to each other. The figure calculated by the formula for body mass index within the normal range means that a person’s health is not threatened by problems associated with excess weight, and that his figure looks harmonious.
Formula for calculating body mass index
To calculate such an indicator as body mass index, the formula makes up a simple empirical relationship. Like other relative indicators, this criterion requires reservations when used in practice. The value can be significantly influenced by bone thickness and body type. Depending on the absence or presence of muscle mass, the same indicator value can correspond to both a fit, athletic and a dense figure.
Often, BMI adequately reflects the overall picture and can serve as a guide in deciding questions about losing weight or gaining weight. To calculate this indicator, you need to divide your own weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. If you are characterized by flabby body, overweight, but the index value (BMI) is within the normal range, focus on playing sports. If you want to lose a few kilograms, then physical education should be combined with proper nutrition. BMI calculation is needed for the following purposes:
- Being overweight or underweight can lead to health problems later on. For example, being underweight leads to the inability to get pregnant, lack of menstruation, and osteoporosis.
- A normal BMI can range from 18.50 to 24.99: this figure increases with age.
- If after the calculation you find yourself with extra pounds, there is no need to panic. There is no serious threat to your health, but you can improve your condition: choose a set of exercises, start eating right.
- If the calculation using the formula shows that you are obese, consult your doctor.
Ideal body weight
The formula for calculating ideal body weight is designed to determine optimal weight, which is a combination of the minimum probability of death from a number of diseases, for example, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, with maximum life expectancy. The value of this indicator, according to the formula, depends on the gender, height, and physique of a person.
The ideal weight is considered to be that which is statistically reliably combined with maximum life expectancy. But the concepts of “normal body weight” and “ideal body weight” are not identical. The latter indicator is an abstract value that is typical only for a small proportion of the population of developed countries. It depends on factors, among which the determining ones are gender, height, type of human constitution, for example, normosthenic, asthenic, hypersthenic.
If we evaluate overweight In terms of ideal body weight, the majority of the population will be diagnosed with varying degrees of obesity. This is a consequence of the artificially created hype around the entire industry slim body, which creates demand for various weight loss products. However, when calculating overweight in terms of normal weight, obesity will be detected in a quarter of the population, which has been confirmed by numerous studies and is true. Normal weight may differ from ideal by 5-10%.
For women
Representatives of the fair sex who strive for the ideal will be interested in such an indicator as ideal body weight. It is a prerequisite for healthy, active longevity, but still remains a theoretical value. This indicator can be calculated. The famous doctor Margarita Koroleva suggests calculating based on the normal weight indicator using Brocca's formula: to do this, subtract one hundred from the height in centimeters. If 10% is subtracted from the obtained value, the ideal body weight will be obtained.
For men
An ideal body weight guarantees a man a high level of performance, mental and emotional stability, a good level of physical development. The presence of excess weight is not always obvious, since there is hidden or latent fatness, which is present in people who seem slim at first glance. An objective indicator in the percentage of fat and bone muscle tissue is 9-15% fat for the male body, 12-20% for the female. When calculating the ideal weight for men, use the following formula: BMI = height – (100 + (height -100): 20).
For children and teenagers
The ideal weight for adolescents and children is the ratio of body weight in comparison with height, which guarantees a high life expectancy. This figure may be different for boys and girls, since the average proportion muscle mass higher in males than in females. The child has ideal weight calculated by the formula: MI = (P x G): 240, where P is height in cm, G is circumference chest in cm, 240 – constant coefficient.
Calculation of BMI using different methods
There are several methods for calculating body mass index using the formula. This makes it possible to find out the degree of correspondence between weight and height, whether a person has enough weight, whether there is a deficiency or excess. The indicator was developed by the Belgian Adolphe Ketele in 1869. Now the ability to calculate it has gained wide popularity due to the fact that excess weight is one of the most exciting, pressing problems of our time. If previously obesity was considered an indicator of health, now it is a disease.
Brocca's formula
French anthropologist and surgeon Paul Brocque proposed his method in the 19th century. Standard formulas do not take into account the natural change in mass over the course of life. Brokk included in the calculation data on the age category, information on body length, and the constitutional type of build to which the subject belongs. Nature intends that weight changes with age. The value that indicated extra pounds at a young age becomes the optimal indicator over time.
For people under forty, the French researcher recommends using the following formula: ideal weight = height (cm) - 110. If you are over forty, the following calculation method is suitable: height (cm) - 100. In addition to age, the formula should take into account height researched: the taller a person is, the more he will weigh. This technique recommends using the “Brocke-Brugsch growth index”:
- if you are shorter than 1.65 m, your ideal weight will be “height (cm) – 100”;
- if a person’s height is 1.65-1.75 m, to calculate this indicator you will need to subtract the number 105 from height (cm);
- If you are taller than 1.75 m, subtract 110 from your height (cm).
In addition to height and age, it is necessary to take into account the physique or constitutional type of a person. There are three of them - sthenic, normosthenic, hypersthenic. Normosthenics are considered to be people who are not too short and not very tall, with a normal ratio of limb length to height, average volumes of the head and chest. For such people, the indicator obtained using Brocca's formula is the ideal weight.
Asthenics are thin people with narrow bones, tall stature, and pale skin. Representatives of this constitutional type should subtract 10% from the result obtained by the formula. If your appearance is more reminiscent of hypersthenics: you are a broad-boned, stocky person with developed muscles, you should add 10% to the resulting figure.
Quetelet's formula
Adolphe Quetelet was a Belgian mathematician and statistician. He proposed the BMI formula in the 19th century. Using it, you can determine the degree of obesity or malnutrition, and assess the possible risk of developing diseases that are associated with excess weight. BMI according to Quetelet’s formula is calculated as follows: BMI = weight (kg) : (height (m))2. The obtained result is compared with the following data:
- for ages 19-24, the normal index is 19-24;
- at 25-34 years old the norm is 20-25;
- for people aged 35-44 years – 21-26;
- the norm for 45-54 year olds is 21-27;
- at 55-64 years old the normal index value is 21-28;
- for people 65 years of age or older, the norm ranges from 21 to 29.
Lorentz formula
The Lorenz method of calculating BMI is considered the simplest and most well-known: you only need to know your height. His formula looks like this: ideal weight = (height (cm) - 100) – (height (cm) - 150)/2. The simplicity of this determination method is not considered the only advantage. The concept of ideal weight is always relative. Every formula is derived by analyzing the results of statistical studies that compare different parameters of people. The data obtained can only serve as a rough guide.
The advantage of the Lorentz formula is that it gives an indicator that is close to the results of more complex calculation methods. However, this index does not take into account a person’s body type, of which experts distinguish three: the weight norm varies for each. The age parameter is not taken into account, and depending on age, different weights are considered normal.
Maximum permissible body weight depending on age
There is no doubt that weight depends on age. It is directly related to the occurrence of such a biological process as carbohydrate metabolism. With age, the metabolism of energy, substances, motor activity slows down, the volume of muscle tissue and metabolic rate decrease. All this, together with a decrease in hormone activity and energy consumption, contributes to weight gain. Its change with age is an inevitable, natural process. This dependence is clearly demonstrated by the table below, which shows the values for normosthenics.
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Ideal weight is an average standard that is calculated based on data from a large number of people. But all people are different. Lifestyle, food culture, nationality and body type - all this influences ideal weight. For example, the normal weight of people with a strong physique will be 2-3% higher than that of people with an average build. And the norm for thin people is 3-5% less. Therefore, it is not necessary to strive specifically for the ideal weight, which shows weight calculator. It is quite enough if your weight falls within the calculated range.
Besides weight calculator calculates BMI- body mass index (ideal weight), which is widely used to determine the degree of correspondence between body weight and height.
How to calculate your ideal weight (BMI) yourself
BMI = M: P 2, where
M – body weight in kg
P – height in meters
Example of calculating body mass index: M (weight) – 78 kg, P (height) – 1.68 m
BMI = 78: 1.68 2 = 27.6
From the table below you can see that a BMI of -27.6 corresponds to overweight.
Interpretation table for BMI indicators
In case of a strong deviation from the norm, it is time to seriously think about correcting your weight. With reduced weight, dystrophy develops. In the modern civilized world, its cause is usually deliberate malnutrition. The desire to have is unnatural slim figure can result in both mental and mental disorders physical health- ability to work decreases, skin dries, hair falls out. All this comes from a lack of substances necessary for the body.
However, their excessive excess also does not lead to anything good. A huge number of people suffer from obesity. Excess weight greatly increases the risk of kidney and gallstones, joint deformation, impotence, myocardial infarction and many other diseases. The entire body works under overload, moving masses of fat in space that are not provided for by the design of the human body. It is not surprising that the life expectancy of obese people is on average 6-8 years less than that of others.
There is an alternative diet that will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the body as a whole, regardless of whether you are overweight or not, since changes are still happening in your body.
What BMI says about your weight
Ideal BMI depending on age
The variation in body mass index values is large enough to take into account all individual characteristics (heavy bones, a large number of muscles in those involved in sports, etc.).
To lose weight or not?
If your BMI is within your age group, then no diet is required. However, there is an alternative diet that will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the body as a whole, regardless of whether you are overweight or not, since changes are still happening in your body. If you are slightly overweight, you need to lose a little weight. Along with reducing your daily calories, you should also be sure to move a lot. If your BMI is above 30, you need to consult your doctor to see if you have any serious illnesses, and then go on a long-term diet.
Weight suitable for well-being
The appropriate weight for well-being can vary greatly from person to person. different people. Body mass index refers to the range you should stay within. How many kilograms will be on the scales - within acceptable limits! - determined individually. The essential criterion is, of course, that you eat without infringing on yourself, that you either adhere to a diet or live according to calorie tables. The problem is that many people are no longer able to determine for themselves their appropriate weight for well-being. We have too many food choices and too many opportunities to eat, so we always live in a satiated state. In addition, most people have a clear disadvantage in movement: our legs are given to us not only to hold on to a chair, but also to walk!
Body weight barometer
Your own body mass index (BMI) can also be easily determined using a body mass barometer. Draw a line from your height (column 1) to your weight (column 3): you get your BMI at the point where this line intersects your BMI - column 2.
Example. A woman who is 160 cm tall and weighs 80 kg has a BMI of approximately 30.
Your weight suitable for good health is within the limits of normal weight on the BMI scale, that is, between 19 and about 25, depending on age. And if, despite this, you want to add a couple of kilograms, you can safely do it, just don’t get too close close to the border. IN otherwise it will harm your health.
Calculate your ideal weight Almost everyone has tried at least once. There are many formulas that can be used to determine whether your body weight is normal. The most simple method When calculating normal body weight, it is considered: “height minus 100” for men and “height minus 110” for women.
However, this approach does not give a true picture of whether a given person is overweight.
It is clear that asthenic people will weigh less than normosthenics, and normosthenic people will weigh less than large-boned people. In addition, excess muscle mass in an athlete can be interpreted as obesity, or vice versa, the body weight of an asthenic teenage girl can be considered insufficient.
Ideal weight
Currently ideal weight(normal body weight) is determined using a number of indicators that take into account the characteristic features of the individual’s structure. This approach allows you to more accurately determine whether you have excess body weight, which, by the way, is medical point vision may not be obesity at all.
Obesity levels
Although we are accustomed, following fashion, to hang the label “obesity” on everyone who does not look like anorexic catwalk beauties, for diagnosing this serious disease there are a number of medical indicators that are very different from our aesthetic ideas about beauty.
Endocrinologists distinguish 4 degrees of obesity. With 1 degree of obesity, excess body weight exceeds ideal, or normal - 10-29%, with 2 degrees of obesity - by 30-49%, with 3 degrees of obesity - by 50-99%, with 4 degrees of obesity - by 100% more.
To determine what degree of obesity a particular person suffers, it remains to find out what normal or ideal body weight is.
What should be the ideal weight (ideal body weight)
The most scientifically substantiated, proven in practice and easiest to measure is such an indicator as body mass index (BMI). Body mass index allows you to determine the degree of excess or underweight.
Determination of body mass index (BMI)
From a medical point of view, body weight is considered normal in a fairly wide range, which depends on body structure, age, gender, race, etc. Ideal mass body will be, accordingly, body weight taking into account all these indicators.
Body mass index can be calculated using the formula:
Body weight in kilograms should be divided by height in meters squared, i.e.:
BMI = weight (kg) : (height (m)) 2
For example, a person’s weight = 85 kg, height = 164 cm. Therefore, the BMI in this case is equal to: BMI = 85: (1.64X1.64) = 31.6.
The body mass index indicator was proposed as a determinant of normal body weight by the Belgian sociologist and statistician Adolphe Ketele ( Adolphe Quetelet) back in 1869.
Body mass index is used to determine the degree of obesity and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other complications associated with overweight body and obesity.
| Types of body weight | BMI (kg/m2) | Risk of comorbidities |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | <18,5 | Low (increased risk of other diseases) |
| Normal body weight | 18,5-24,9 | Ordinary |
| Excess body weight | 25,0-29,9 | Elevated |
| Obesity I degree | 30,0-34,9 | High |
| Obesity II degree | 35,0-39,9 | Very tall |
| Obesity III degree | 40 | Extremely high |
The table below shows the parameters at which body weight remains within the normal range from a medical point of view.
Normal weight(indicated in green in the table):
Yellow indicates overweight, red indicates obesity.
In addition, a number of other indices can be used to determine normal body weight:
- Broca's index is used for heights of 155-170 cm. Normal body weight is equal to (height [cm] - 100) - 10 (15%).
- Breitman index. Normal body weight is calculated using the formula - height [cm] 0.7 - 50 kg.
- Bornhardt index. Ideal body weight is calculated using the formula - height [cm] chest circumference [cm] / 240.
- Davenport index. A person's mass [g] is divided by his height [cm] squared. An increase above 3.0 indicates the presence of obesity. (obviously this is the same BMI, only divided by 10)
- Oder index. Normal body weight is equal to the distance from the crown to the symphysis (pubic joint of the pubic bones) [cm] 2 - 100.
- Noorden index. Normal weight equals height [cm] 420/1000.
- Tatonya index. Normal body weight = height-(100+(height-100)/20)
In clinical practice, the Broca's index is most often used to assess body weight.
In addition to height and weight indicators, the method for determining the thickness of the skin fold proposed by Korovin can be used. Using this method, the thickness of the skin fold in the epigastric region is determined (normally -1.1-1.5 cm). An increase in the thickness of the fold to 2 cm indicates the presence of obesity.
Abdominal obesity
Another measurement option that is proposed to determine the degree of obesity along with calculating the body mass index is measuring waist circumference, since it is believed that fat deposition of the visceral-abdominal type (on internal organs) is the most dangerous for health. The normal waist size for women is no more than 88 cm and for men no more than 106 cm.
Although the indicators here are, of course, more subjective, because waist size largely depends on a person’s height and build. Thus, women with a pear-shaped figure may have obesity in the hips and lower body, but the waist will remain thin, while at the same time, women with an apple figure (with thin legs, but an excess waist) will are recognized as suffering from abdominal obesity.
Body Volume Index
One of the relatively new methods for determining excess body weight is based on the use of three-dimensional scanning, with the help of which it is calculated body volume index(English) Body Volume Index, BVI). This method of measuring obesity was proposed in 2000 as an alternative body mass index, which does not provide accurate information about the risks of obesity for each individual patient. Currently, the method has undergone clinical trials in the USA and Europe as part of a two-year project Body Benchmark Study.
How to calculate BMI? Everyone, both women and men, needs to control their weight. There is a formula that will help determine the body mass index for men. Extra pounds have a detrimental effect not only on your appearance, but also on your health.
The internal organs also become covered with fat and it becomes difficult for them to function. Shortness of breath appears, the functioning of the heart and pancreas is disrupted, diabetes mellitus and a number of other serious diseases develop. Therefore, it is very important to monitor your weight norm.
Calculating BMI: why you need to do it
The calculator, which calculates your weight-for-height ratio, was developed in 1869 by Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet. He made it easier for people who cared about their proportions and appearance.
Only this method (calculator) does not always have accurate data, but calculates approximate ones. Since the calculation involves not only height and weight, but also the type of constitution, heavy or light bones, muscle mass, age.
The calculator, which is available on the Internet, is approximate and you need to be guided by it approximately. For example, if a man or woman is an athlete, then it will be difficult for them to calculate their BMI, because muscle mass is heavier than fat.
The formulas that are presented on different websites of countries and the WHO vary significantly in the final data. From a medical point of view, WHO takes the average, which may be excessive for a person in real life.
How to calculate body mass index
The formula that will help you find out normal weight taking into account height is calculated as follows:
BMI for men = Weight (kg) / Height (m) 2
This lightweight formula will help you always stay slim and beautiful. You can also enter your data into an online calculator and get instant results.
Let us show with an example how it is calculated:
Gender: Male.
Age: 35 years old.
Height: 175 cm 2 = 1.75 * 1.75 = 3.06.
Weight: 70 kg.
Substitute into the formula BMI = 70 kg/3.06 = 22.88
BMI calculator
Thus, according to the table that we present below, the indicator is within the normal range, taking into account age and gender. Once you remember the easy formula, you can always calculate your indicators and control your weight without an online calculator.
Normal BMI for men: the meaning of indicators
After calculating your BMI, you can see in the table whether your weight is within the normal range, taking into account your age.
| Age/years | Index | Decoding |
| 18-30 years old | 16-18 | Anorexia |
| 30 years and older | 18-19 | Anorexia |
| 18-30 years old | 18-21 | Lack of body weight |
| 30 years and older | 19-22 | Lack of body weight |
| 18-30 years old | 21,5-25 | Within normal limits |
| 30 years and older | 22-26 | Within normal limits |
| 18-30 years old | 25-29 | Excess body weight |
| 30 years and older | 26,5-30 | Excess body weight |
| 18-30 years old | 29,5-32 | Obesity 1st degree |
| 30 years and older | 30,5-34 | Obesity 1st degree |
| 18-30 years old | 32,5-36,5 | Obesity 2nd degree |
| 30 years and older | 34,5-38 | Obesity 2nd degree |
| 18-30 years old | 37-42 | Obesity 3rd degree |
| 30 years and older | 38,5-43 | Obesity 3rd degree |
| 18-30 years old | Over 42.5 | Obesity 4th degree |
| 30 years and older | Over 43 | Obesity 4th degree |
Every person always has something to strive for, and there is no limit to the ideal. Everyone has their own idea of body beauty, some like skinny ones, and some like a small belly on their man.
How to deal with extra pounds
There are a sufficient number of ways to combat extra pounds. They can be divided into 3 groups:
- Non-medicinal removal of kg;
- Drug treatment of excess weight;
- Surgery.
Moreover, the last point has a number of contraindications that may be prohibited, for example, gastric bypass due to the presence of a too high BMI and there is a risk of death. Therefore, before such complex and serious operations, a corrective diet is prescribed.
Non-medicinal weight loss is recommended when:
- There is a risk of complications if you are overweight;
- Waist measurements >101-102 cm;
- Obesity of any painful stage.
We can conclude: any treatment for obesity begins with point 1 – non-drug therapy.
Drug therapy for obesity:
- There was no effect without the use of drugs;
- A man's BMI is over 34 kg/m2;
- Waist circumference approaches 103 cm.
Surgical assistance in the treatment of obesity has contraindications:
- Alcoholism;
- Mental disorders.
Indications for surgery:
- Lack of effectiveness with the second method of therapy (medication);
- When obesity over 30 kg/m2 has a risk of death in the presence of such diseases:
- Diabetes mellitus type 2;
- Hypertonic disease;
- IHD (coronary heart disease);
- Sleep apnea syndrome;
- Disturbance in the circulatory system.
- Obesity of any degree exceeds 4-5 years.
Non-drug therapy
It is based on diet therapy, which consists of a gradual reduction of kilograms, combined with physical activity and psychological training.
- Gradual reduction in kilograms over 5-6 months by 10-15% of body weight;
- Maintaining the achieved result;
- Continued weight correction.
To achieve results at stage 1, a man needs to consume no more than 1800 kcal per day with moderate physical activity. To achieve a sharp reduction in body weight, the amount consumed per day should not exceed 1000 kcal.
But mono diets have a number of contraindications:
- Age restrictions – 60 years or more;
- Availability chronic diseases: liver cirrhosis, renal failure, gallstones;
- Diabetes mellitus type 1;
- Bronchial asthma (heavy breathing);
- Diseases of the endocrine system, thyroid gland;
- Oncological diseases;
- Pathologies of the heart muscle;
- Alcoholism.
Maintenance medications for weight maintenance are prescribed by a doctor:
- "Sibutramine" Sibutramine;
- Fluoxetine Fluoxetine is an antidepressant.
Treatment of obesity with medications
The medications are prescribed by a doctor and should not be used without a prescription. All of them dull hunger well, but have many contraindications and side effects, which need to be considered before taking.
