How to Determine Your Perfect Weight

Ideal weight is usually calculated using Body Mass Index (BMI). National standards for BMI ranges are based on population measurements. Current guidelines consider someone with a BMI less than 18.5 to be underweight, normal range to be between 18.5 and 24.9, overweight to be between 25 and 29.9 and anyone with a BMI above 30 is considered obese. The calculation for BMI is the same for men and women.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Calculate BMI using metric units. Measure your weight in kilograms and your height in meters.

  BMI = Weight/(Height squared)

  For example, if your weight is 75 kg and your height is 1.5 m, then your BMI calculation would be 75/(1.5 x 1.5) = 33.3.

• 2

  Calculate BMI using standard American units. Measure your weight in pounds and your height in inches.

  BMI = [Weight/(Height squared)] x 703

  For example, if your weight is 150 and your height is 67 inches, your BMI calculation would be [150/(67 x 67)](703) = 23.5.

• 3

  Compare your BMI to the national guidelines in order to determine your weight category. In our first example, the BMI is 33.3, well above 30 and clearly in the obese range. In our second example, the BMI is 23.5, which is in the normal range.

• 4

  Calculate your ideal weight by repeating BMI calculations using weights that are higher or lower than your current weight until you reach a set of values that lies within the normal weight range.