Height to Weight Ratio

Often, in gymnasiums and medical centers, you may find several charts depicting the different weight prescribed for different height and body mass index formulas. In a world that is turning very health conscious and fitness enthusiast, there are several formulas which are derived on different logic and calculations. Most of these height to weight formulas are based on the following logic.

• The human body grows up to a specified height in the growth years, based upon several features such as lifestyle, exercise, geographical conditions and genetics.
• The human body should have a particular weight for a particular height i.e: the height and weight ratio must be in a specified proportion to each other.
• If the height and weight are in proper ratios to each other, then the bodily functions take place smoothly.
• If a person's weight is more than needed then he is overweight, which means that the daily intake of food is greater than needed.
• Similarly if the weight is less than required, then the person is underweight and needs to increase the diet.

There are principally two methods, that are used to measure the ratio of height to weight, namely, the common formula and the second one is BMI or Body Mass Index.

The Common Formula

A common notion that is supported by all physicians is that a person's ideal weight should be equivalent to:

Height in cm (-) 100

For example, if a person is 150 cm tall then his ideal weight should be somewhere near 50 kg plus or minus 5 kg. This general notion is the best example for all formulas. There are some other formulas that have been developed on the basis of different logic.

In the year 1983, the J.D. Robinson formula for height to weight ratio was introduced, which goes as follows,

• 52 kg (till 5 feet) plus 1.9 kg for every inch over 5 feet for men
• 49 kg (till 5 feet) plus 1.7 kg for every inch over 5 feet for women

Another formula for average weight to height ratio was introduced in the same year, which was formulated by D.R. Miller:

• 56.2 kg plus 1.41 for every inch after 5 feet for men
• 53.1 kg plus 1.36 for every inch over 5 feet

It must be noted that the ratio for men and women is different in almost all formulas.

Body Mass Index

The body mass index is a value that indicates the excessive amount of mass in the human body. There are three different ways to calculate this value.

• As per SI Units: BMI = mass (in kg)/(height in meters)²
• Imperial Units 1: BMI = mass (lb) × 703/(height (in))²
• Imperial Units 2: mass (lb) × 4.88/(height (ft))²

The BMI was initially known as a Quetelet Index. If your BMI is less than 18.5 then you are underweight and you will have to integrate a healthy diet to reach a healthy weight to height ratio. In cases where it is in the bracket of 18 to 25, you have a good, BMI, maintain it by a good diet and exercises and regular workouts regime. If the BMI exceeds 25 then your weight is a more than needed and if exceeds 30 then you might suffer from obesity related problems and need weight loss. It must be noted that these formulas are not applicable to elderly people and kids. Athletes in fact may have a bit more units to their BMI. It must also be noted that your weight to height ratio is not the only indicator of your health, hence if your BMI pushes you into the overweight category by a couple of points, after Thanksgiving or Christmas, there is no need to panic. It will come back to normal after a couple of weeks of good exercise. There is no need to rigorously follow some crash diet or fad diet, because they are as unsafe for your health, as obesity.

The human body was principally designed by God to face starvation, hence eating in control in small quantities as per your requirements is a necessity. Exercising regularly, is also needed to burn off the excess calories in your body.