Weight and height tables
Key points
- Weight and height tables are available for infants, children, adolescents and adults.
- The function of a height and weight table is to help determine if weight is within an appropriate range for height and frame size.
- Determining frame size: To determine the body frame size, measure the wrist with a tape measure and use the following chart to determine whether the person is small, medium, or large boned.
- Using the above formula, you can determine your desirable body weight.
Alternative names
Height and weight tables
Definition
Weight and height tables are available for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Tables may be used to determine the recommended weight range for a given height (ideal body weight). Ranges are based on the body frame size, and there are separate tables for men and women. The estimates are approximate and may be inaccurate in certain situations such as that of body builder (heavily muscled) or pregnant women.
Information
Functions:
The function of a height and weight table is to help determine if weight is within an appropriate range for height and frame size. These tables are based on actuarial data from the National Center for Health Statistics (for infants, children and adolescents) and the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (for adults). The Life Insurance statistics attempt to describe which "desirable" or "ideal" weight is the weight for height of insured persons with the longest life spans. These tables do not tend to take into account differences among races.
A measurement that is more commonly used today is body mass index (BMI). The BMI is thought to be a more accurate reflection of total body fat the comparison of height and weight measurements. The BMI, however, is also subject to errors such as that seen with body builders.
Weight loss or weight gain is classified by the percent of total body weight (actual weight, not the ideal weight) that is lost or gained. To calculate:
Take the amount of weight lost (or gained) divided by the previous (actual normal weight), and times by 100.
- For example, a loss of 20 pounds from 140 lbs to 120 lbs would be calculated this way:
20/140 x 100 = loss of 14% of total body weight.
Obesity is classified by the percent over the ideal body weight.
The difference between the actual weight and the ideal weight is divided by the ideal weight, then times 100 to get the percent overweight.
For example, an ideal weight of 120 with an actual weight of 150 would be calculated this way:
150 - 120 = 30
30/120 x 100 = 25% overweight
Determining desirable body weight:
If the tables are not available, a simple way to determine desirable body weight is as follows:
- Women: 100 pounds of body weight for the first 5 feet of height, 5 pounds for each additional inch.
- Men: 106 pounds of body weight for the first 5 feet of height, 6 pounds for each additional inch.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.