This calculator estimates a healthy weight range of a person according to his height. It is best suited for persons who are 18 years and older.

What is a healthy weight?

A healthy body weight range is determined using the BMI. The body weight for a particular height is estimated using a set of algorithms that classifies the body weight into the different weight categories based on BMI. Usually, an adult who is 18 years or above and has a BMI of 18.5 to 25 kg/m² is considered to have a normal or healthy weight.

For more information, check the Health Weight Calculator, but remember a “health weight calculator” is based on estimates that overlook some particular aspects like body composition. While accurate for an “average” person, this means it is possible to be classified as being overweight or underweight and still be "healthy", although a general calculation needs more than a medical professional’s assistance.

Impacts of Being Overweight, Obese and Underweight

Underweight (BMI < 18.5):

An individual may be underweight due to a variety of reasons, including genetic predisposition, inadequate food intake, metabolic problems, drug use, or other illness. Being underweight is linked with a myriad of medical problems such as hyperthyroidism, certain types of cancer, tuberculosis, or other disorders.

Research suggests that being underweight significantly increases mortality rates similarly to that of being morbidly obese. These figures may, however, be influenced by disease-related weight loss, and being underweight in the absence of disease may not have alarmingly high mortality risks when compared with weight.

Other problems that come with being underweight include lower stamina, energy level, and bone density, as well as a weakened immune system, which can lead to increased susceptibility to infection. In addition, individuals who are underweight due to insufficient food intake, rather than excessive exercise or other potential causes, can become malnourished, which can lead to mental or physical developmental deficits. In severe scenarios, some forms of malnutrition like kwashiorkor and marasmus can take place.

In women, being underweight due to an eating disorder can lead to the lack of menstruation, infertility, and even further complications during pregnancy.

Overweight (BMI 25-30):

The condition of being overweight is seen as an outcome of eating more calories than those that can be burnt off through metabolic activity as well as exercise. Further aggravating factors leading to overweightness include alcoholism, a family history of overweight tendencies, eating disorders, lack of physical activities due to long hours of sitting, poor dietary habits, and undue stress.

The negative consequences of being overweight tend to be slightly more disputed than those of obesity. In general, it’s accepted that having weight issues results in problems akin to being obese (as will be elaborated on later), but on a smaller scale. Still, there have been studies conducted that noted a lower mortality rate amongst obese people as opposed to those placed in the average category of having a healthy body weight.

Some of these “healthy weight” categorizers were met with the argument that a BMI range between 25 and 30, which is considered overweight, is actually ideal. Conversely, others brought forth the consideration that death is far from the only way to evaluate health—possible increased chances for diabetes and heart issues, along with many forms of cancer, are major issues bound to being overweight.

Obese (BMI > 30):

In simpler terms, obesity can be caused by not exercising enough, eating too much, and in certain cases, heredity. Being diagnosed as obese can also stem from having a genetic make-up that includes hormonal changes brought about by endocrine disorders and medical and psychological conditions.

While its prevention seems to be simple with a healthy lifestyle and proper diet, a lot of elements still need to be understood, as the causes of obesity are many. While controlling the energy changed and produced seemingly solves the issue at hand, there appear to be more complicated factors; for instance, tackling obesity from a societal perspective is far from algorithmic.

Obesity increases the risk of grave cardiovascular issues such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, as well as type 2 diabetes, other musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, certain kinds of cancer, and even lung obstructive sleep issues. Furthermore, this can even lead to depression or, in certain cases, be the result of depression. Seeing the complications that stem from obesity, it does not come as a surprise that it lowers life expectancy, making it one of the primary preventable mortality reasons around the globe.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight can be equally as difficult as losing weight. Weight management comes with its own set of issues that relate to diet, physical activity, and mental health. Being underweight or overweight can lead to different and complicated health issues if not managed properly.

Those who need to gain weight can do so effectively by adding calories without sacrificing nutrition. Consuming whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, nuts and seeds regularly can increase an individual’s calorie intake. Other exercises such as weightlifting can also help increase an individual’s muscle mass. If the reason as to why an individual is underweight stems from bulimia or anorexia, the mental health aspect needs to be tackled alongside a combination of physical treatments that work to increase the individual’s weight.

Like being underweight, obesity can be primarily managed with changes to diet and exercise. The WHO advises people to reduce intake of calorie-rich foods, total fat, and sugar and to increase the intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains.

It further advises active exercise participation, where children are to be physically active for an hour a day, and adults should be active for at least 150 minutes a week. Nevertheless, personal initiative is only useful when accompanied by a healthy educational system, affordable and nutritious food, and an increased taxation of sugar-rich drinks, a reduction of sugar and salt in processed foods, and diminished marketing of these products, especially to the youth.

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