Am I Overweight for My Height?

I have observed that the question 'am I too fat for my height' is always lingering in the minds of teens as well as adults. Parents often wonder if their children are underweight, overweight or just the correct weight for their height. These days, body height ratio charts are available in clinics, gyms, schools, everywhere. As obesity is a common concern today, people are becoming more and more calorie conscious. They are always in search of a weight loss diet. It is better to check the answer to the question 'am I overweight for my height' before opting for a diet. Let us find out the answer with the help of body mass index.

Body Mass Index
Those who are worried about their weight should know the simple formula of finding body mass index.

BMI (in Kg/m2) = [Weight (in Pounds) / (Height in inches ) x (Height in inches)] x 703

By multiplying by 703, you get the value of BMI in Kg/m2.

or

BMI (in Kg/m2) = (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in Meters) x (Height in Meters)

• BMI 18.5-25: You have normal or optimal weight.
• BMI greater than 25: You are overweight
• BMI less than 18.5: You are underweight
• BMI less than 17.5: You are extremely underweight
• BMI 30 or greater: You belong to the class of obese.
• BMI 40 or greater: Example of morbid obesity

I think the above information is helpful to find out the answer of your question 'am I overweight for my height'. There are overweight calculators available on various sites on Internet which help you calculate the BMI very easily. You just have to fill in your height and weight, you don't need to remember the formula. So there can be no confusion about 'am I overweight or not'. You can also refer to height and weight charts to confirm whether you are the correct weight for your height.

Height and Weight Charts
The following tables show the ideal weight for height for boys and for girls. Children can refer to height and weight chart for children to clear their doubts.

Age Height Weight For Boys Age Average Height Average Weight in Inches in Pounds 1 year 28 - 29 22 2 years 31 28.4 3 years 33 33 4 years 37 35 -37 5 years 40 41.8 6 years 42 46.2 7 years 44 50.6 8 years 45 57.2 9 years 49 61.6 10 years 51 70.4 11 years 52 77 12-13 years 58-62 85-100 14-15 years 63-66 105-125 16-17 years 67-70 130-150 18-20 years 68-70 150-160

Age Height Weight For GIRLS Age Average Height Average Weight in Inches in Pounds 1 year 28-29 21.76 2 year 30 28.4 3 year 33 30.8 4 year 37 35.2 5 year 40 39.6 6 year 41 46.2 7 year 43 50.6 8 year 45 57.2 9 year 47 63.8 10 year 51 70.4 11 year 52 79.2 12-13 years 60-63 95-105 14-15 years 63-64 105-115 16-17 years 64 115-120 18-20 years 64 125-130

Now that you have taken a look at the ideal weight and height charts for kids and teens, you can scroll down to find the answer of your question 'how much should I weigh for my height'. You can refer to the following tables and then decide to shed those extra pounds.

Height Weight Chart: Men* Height Small Frame Medium Frame Large Frame 5'1" 123 134 145 5'2" 125 137 148 5'3" 127 139 151 5'4" 129 142 155 5'5" 131 145 159 5'6" 133 148 163 5'7" 135 151 167 5'8" 137 154 171 5'9" 139 157 175 5'10" 141 160 179 5'11" 144 164 183 6'0" 147 167 187 6'1" 150 171 192 6'2" 153 175 197 6'3" 157 179 202

Height Weight Chart: Women* Height Small Frame Medium Frame Large Frame 4'10" 100 115 131 4'11" 101 117 134 5'0" 103 120 137 5'1" 105 122 140 5'2" 108 125 144 5'3" 111 128 148 5'4" 114 133 152 5'5" 117 136 156 5'6" 120 140 160 5'7" 123 143 164 5'8" 126 146 167 5'9" 129 150 170 5'10" 132 153 173 5'11" 135 156 176 6'0" 138 159 179

^{* - Given weight is in Pounds}

From the above height and weight charts for kids as well as adults, you must have noticed that 'age' is also a factor that is to be taken into consideration while measuring obesity. Aging affects the weight of an individual and so 'am I overweight for my height and age' would be a more appropriate question. Genetic factors also determine height and weight of an individual. But it is necessary to keep in mind that you should not become very obsessed with your height and weight because being healthy is more important than anything else. Regular exercise and balanced diet is what you should concentrate on. I hope the above information has helped you find the answer to your question 'am I overweight for my height'. Weight plays an important role in helping you lead a healthy and active life.