If you are overweight, a weight loss of as little as 5 percent of your body weight can alleviate a number of medical conditions, says Penn State. Obesity increases the risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. If you develop one of these conditions, it is likely that your doctor will recommend that you lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight. Calculate your weight loss percentage with a simple formula.
Step 1
Weigh yourself on an accurate scale.
Step 2
Subtract your current weight from your former weight with a calculator. Divide the result by your former weight.
Step 3
Multiply the figure by 100 and add a percentage sign to the result. This is the percentage of body weight you have lost. For example, if you currently weight 120 lbs. and your former weight was 150 lbs., subtract 120 from 150 for a result of 30. Divide 30 by your former weight of 150 for a result of 0.20. Multiply 0.20 by 100 and add a percentage sign for a result of 20 percent.
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