How to Determine a Healthy Body Weight

The body mass index, or BMI, is a simple method of determining your healthy weight range. BMI uses height and weight to determine the percentage of fat a person should maintain in the body. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 percent is considered normal. Maintaining a weight above your healthy weight range puts you at a higher risk for health conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Access the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's "Body Mass Index Table."

• 2

  Locate the "Normal" heading at the top of the chart. Notice the "Normal" columns are unshaded while the "Overweight" columns to the immediate right are shaded gray.

• 3

  Locate the "Height" column on the left side of the chart. Scroll down and find your height in inches. Write down the first number in the row for your height.

• 4

  Go across the row for your height to find the last number in the "Normal" range. Write this number down. The two numbers you have written represent your healthy weight range in pounds. Your weight should not fall below the first number or exceed the second.