Ideal Weight & Bmi For Women

According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, based on body mass index measurements, more than 60 percent of adult women in the United States are overweight and over one-third of overweight women are obese. By calculating your body mass index, or BMI, you can find out which weight category you are in and find your ideal healthy weight range.

Normal BMI

BMI is a number calculated from your height and weight and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a reliable indicator of fatness for most people. To be classified in the normal-weight category, you need a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Having a BMI in the normal category indicates you have a reduced risk of weight-related health problems. Your BMI can be calculated by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplying that result by a conversion factor of 703.

Body Fat Percentage

Because BMI is only an estimate based on height and weight, more direct measures of body composition, including body fat percentage measurements, can be used to further determine your potential weight-related health problems. Some athletes and other people have higher-than-average muscle mass and can be classified in the overweight BMI category, even though they have an ideal ratio of lean-to-fat mass. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports that women's body fat should be approximately 20 percent. It also reports that more than 30 percent body fat is considered obese for women. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that body fat percentage should not be lower than 10 to 13 percent for women.

Condsiderations

The BMI measurement is only one aspect of assessing weight-related health risks. In addition to measuring BMI and calculating your ideal weight, other tests are recommended by the CDC to further assess your risk of developing obesity-related diseases. The CDC recommends you check your waist circumference, other risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle habits such as eating and exercise habits. Some women may be at a healthy weight but still have other risk factors for weight-related health problems.

Importance

Reaching and staying at a healthy weight will reduce your risk of many diseases and health conditions. The CDC reports that overweight and obese individuals are at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and gallbladder disease. In addition to physical benefits, staying fit and at a healthy weight can lead to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve self-confidence.

Reaching a Healthy Weight

Dr. Walter Willett, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, recommends that most adults reach a healthy weight that corresponds to a BMI below 25. To reach your healthy weight, Dr. Willett recommends eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, participating in regular physical activity and exercise and eating mindfully throughout the day. He states that your focus should be to reduce overall calories instead of focusing on a specific nutrient, such as fat.