What Is a Normal Weight for a Woman?

When it comes to weight, there is no normal. Many factors determine whether a person is in a healthy weight range. And weight is not the only determinant in whether a person is healthy.

BMI

• One way to determine if you're at a healthy weight is to figure out your waist size and your BMI, or body mass index. This is determined by comparing weight and height.

Waist Size

• A healthy waist size for most women is less than 35 inches. An unhealthy weight puts a person at a bigger risk for ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Waist -to- Hip Ratio

• Waist-to-hip ratio helps determine whether a person is "apple-shaped" or "pear-shaped."

Diet and Exercise

• Exercise regularly, and choose healthy foods. Thin isn't always healthy.

Considerations

• Many people are in a healthy weight range but still are unhappy with their weight. Remember, there is no ideal or norm when it comes to weight, shape or size.