You can use several different methods to determine if you are a healthy weight for your height. Individuals that are overweight have an increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Those that are underweight may suffer from low blood pressure, have difficulty concentrating and suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Scale Weight
The most straightforward method of determining if you are a healthy weight is to step on the scale. A man that is 5 feet tall should weight 106 lbs. Add an additional 6 lbs. for every inch you are over 5 feet. For example, if you are 5 foot 8 inches, your target weight is 148 lbs. If you are very small-boned, subtract 10 percent from this number to get your ideal weight. If you are large-boned, add 10 percent to reach your ideal weight.
Waist Circumference
Measuring the distance around your abdomen is a reliable method of determining if you have an elevated risk of diseases such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Men who have a waist circumference greater than 40 inches have an increased risk of developing many chronic conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The measurement is accurate regardless of height, although new research indicates that Asian men should aim for a waist circumference of 35 inches or less.
Waist to Hip Ratio
After determining your waist circumference, measure your hip circumference. Wrap a fabric tape measure around your hips, making sure to measure over your hip bones. Divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. The ideal waist to hip ratio for men is smaller than 1.
Body Mass Index
The body mass index equation uses a mathematical calculation based on your height. To determine your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 705. Divide that number by your height in inches. Divide the resulting number by your height in inches again. The resulting number is your BMI. The healthy BMI for adult men is between 18.5 and 24.9.
There are drawbacks to using BMI to determine your ideal weight. Since BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat, bodybuilders and athletes are often incorrectly labeled overweight. BMI should also not be used on the elderly, which are often healthier at a slightly higher weight. (source: University of Maryland Medical Center: What is Your Ideal Weight?)
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