Normal Weight Ranges for Men

Maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult in today's world of fast food and takeout. According to a USA Today article, nearly 65 percent of Americans were considered obese in 2003. While obesity may seem a lot of pounds away from you, in fact, the article defines it as being just 30 pounds overweight.

Function

• A man's normal weight range is determined by his body mass index, which is a number derived from his height and weight. A man's body mass index is a reliable indicator of how much fat is in his body.

Significance

• Calculating a man's body mass index is a way of determining whether a man's weight is appropriate for his height. Determining whether or not a man is overweight for his height can help screen for potential health problems. To calculate your body mass index, see References for a link to a body mass calculator.

Misconceptions

• There is no generally "normal" weight for a man. What is normal or healthy for each man varies according to how much muscle he has, how tall he is, and his diet. For example, a man who is 6 feet tall and weighs more than another man who is also 6 feet tall is not necessarily less healthy. The man who weighs more may have more muscle than fat in his body; since muscle weighs more than fat, this man weighs more. This does not mean he is not healthy or should weigh less.

Examples

• A healthy body mass index is a number anywhere between 18.5 to 24.9. In this body mass index range, a healthy weight range for a 6 foot tall man would be between 139 to 183 pounds. A healthy weight range for a 5'8" man would be between 124 to 164 pounds.

Extra Facts

• A body mass index under 18.5 indicates a man is underweight. A body mass index above 24.9 indicates that a man is overweight.