The ideal body weight for men is heavier than for women of the same height, because men typically have larger frames than women. Among men, ideal body weights differ according to height and body frame. Furthermore, people of the same height and weight vary in their percentage of body fat.
Body Mass Index
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of a person's weight in comparison with their height, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with high BMIs are at increased risk for a number of health problems related to obesity, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Calculating BMI
You can calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight by 703 and dividing it by the square of your height in inches, according to Medline Plus, a subdivision of the National Institutes of Health. If you prefer to use the metric system, simply multiply your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. You may also use an automatic online BMI calculator by entering your height and weight (please see Resources section).
Ideal BMI
Medline Plus reports that the ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of between 30 and 39.9 is considered obese. A BMI of 40 or more is considered morbidly obese. If you have a BMI of under 18.5, you are underweight. These numbers are not adjusted for gender. However, men tend toward the higher end of these scales because they generally have larger body frames than women.
Body Frame
One man may have a different BMI than another man of the same height due to a difference in body frame size. If you have a small frame, for example, and your BMI is 24.8, you may need to lose a bit of weight even though BMI tables report your BMI as healthy. Measure the circumference of your wrist. If you are at least 5-5, your frame is average if your wrist circumference is between 6.5 and 7.5 inches. Small-framed men have wrist circumferences between 5.5 and 6.5 inches, while large-framed men have wrist circumferences over 7.5 inches. If your wrist circumference is below 5.5 inches, you have an extremely small frame and your ideal BMI might need to be adjusted downward.
Body Fat Percentage
The ideal body fat percentage is between 10 and 25 percent for men, according to the University of New Mexico. A person with a high BMI might nevertheless be healthy if he is very muscular, according to the University of Kentucky. Nevertheless, people with BMIs above 30 are almost always overweight. If you lift weights or participate in other athletic activity that builds muscle, your ideal BMI might rise as you gain muscle mass.
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