Normal Women's Weight

Normal women's weight is difficult to define. Various tables depict proper weight-to-height ratios, and the body mass index or BMI is also used. Waist circumference is another factor that should be considered.

Significance

• Maintaining a normal women's weight is important for proper health and longevity. Women who eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight have less chance of illness and disease.

Identification

• According to the Metropolitan Life Insurance tables, which have been a standard for years, a normal weight for a woman who is 5 feet 4 inches tall ranges from 114 to 151 pounds, depending on her body-frame size.

  BMI uses weight in relation to height. A person is classified as overweight if they have a BMI of 25 to 29.9. A BMI of 30 or higher classifies a person as obese.

Considerations

• A normal women's weight depends on body weight and body fat. Female body builders or other athletes may be considered overweight, according to standard weight tables. These tables don't take into account body fat versus lean muscle mass.

  BMI doesn't account for where fat is located in the body. A muscular female athlete with a low percentage of body fat could have a high BMI.

  Waist circumference helps assess the distribution of abdominal fat. Excesses abdominal fat is more harmful than fat on the hips and thighs. If a woman's waist circumference is greater than 35 inches she has a greater risk for disease.

Benefits

• The benefits of a normal women's weight include having more energy, higher self-esteem and self-confidence, and being healthy.

Prevention/Solution

• Calorie moderation and daily exercise will help achieve a normal woman's weight.