Each person is uniquely built and only you and your doctor can determine whether your measurements are healthy for you. The most common measurements used as barometers for health are height, weight, body mass index, basal metabolic rate and your waist-to-hip ratio. Given the rise in obesity within the United States, knowing whether you fall into a healthy category empowers you to take control.
Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a screening tool used to estimate overall fatness of your body. It can be used to predict eating disorders if you have a very low BMI, or obesity if your BMI is very high. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches, squared, and multiplied by 703. A BMI below 18.5 is underweight; 18.5 to 24.9 is normal; 25 to 29.9 is overweight; and above 30 is considered obese. Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control, the national average for BMI among all women in the United States is 26.9.
Basal Metabolic Rate
Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR, is your daily calorie need. It is, essentially, a number associated with your metabolism as a measure of how many calories your body requires to maintain life. It is a useful starting point for calculating how many calories you need to maintain your current weight or to lose weight. BMR is based upon your age, height, weight and gender and is particular to you. Many calculators online are able to provide your BMI as well as factor in your daily activity level to give you an accurate assessment of your real calorie needs per day.
Waist-To-Hip Ratio
Your waist-to-hip ratio is a measure of abdominal fat and may also help predict heart disease. The calculation includes the circumference of your waist at its narrowest point, or one inch above your navel, divided by the circumference of your hips at their widest point. For example, if you have a 40 inch hip circumference and a 29 inch waist circumference your ratio would be .73. A ratio above .80 for women gives her an increased risk of heart disease.
Height And Weight
The average height for women in the United States is 63 inches, or 5 feet, 3 inches tall, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Although genetics determines how tall you will grow and one height is not considered healthier than another, you do have control over your weight. The average weight for all women in the United States is 155 pounds. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, conducted in 2002 revealed that the average weight among woman had increased from 17 to 29 pounds, varying by age group, between 1960 and 2002. A second NHANES in 2007 showed approximately 36 percent of women in the United States are considered obese.
References
- Centers For Disease Control: About BMI for adults.
- CDC: National Health Statistics Report: Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2003-2006
- Mayo Clinic: Metabolism and Weight Loss: How You Burn Calories
- CDC: Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Extreme Obesity Among Adults: United States, Trends 1976--1980 Through 2007--2008
- CDC: Americans Slightly Taller, Much Heavier Than Four Decades Ago
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Weight Control and Diet -- Introduction
Member Comments