What is A Healthy Weight?
Everyone is unique. It is no surprise that a healthy weight is different for each person. This page will introduce you to some ways healthy weight is measured and how weight can affect your health.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The most common tool used to help you figure out where you are in relation to your ideal weight is BMI, or Body Mass Index. BMI is a simple measurement that is calculated from your height and weight. If you want to know your BMI, enter your height and weight below.
Depending on you BMI score, your will fall into one of the four categories:
- Underweight
- Normal
- Overweight
- Obese
BMI is not a perfect measurement but it can be a good indicator that you may need to talk to a medical professional if your BMI is underweight, overweight, or obese. Your doctor or a registered dietician can help you figure out what a healthy weight is for you.
BMI for Children and Adolescents
Like adults, a healthy weight is very important for children. Since children grow at different rates, their age and sex are factored into their BMI. Instead of a score, youth are placed in a percentile range.
- Underweight is defined as a BMI score less than the 5th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
- Normal weight is defined as a BMI score between the 5th and 85th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
- Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
- Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex for children of the same age and sex.
Waist Circumference
The location of excess weight can be important in determining your risk for health problems. Fat located around your waist carries more risk than fat located in other areas of the body. Even with a normal BMI, a high waist circumference can increase your risk for health problems. Because of this, waist circumference is also used as a measure of healthy weight.
To determine your waist circumference, place a measuring tape snugly around your waist. Health risks increase with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.
It’s Not about Looks
Maintaining a healthy weight is not about the way a person looks. Overweight and underweight can have serious impacts on a person’s health.
Overweight and Obesity
Heart Disease and Stroke
Certain dietary patterns have been linked to heart disease and related conditions. Diets high in saturated fats and high in cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels and promote atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Diets high in salt or sodium are associated with high blood pressure levels. Obesity is linked to higher low density lipoproteins (LDL) sometimes called “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to lower high density lipoproteins (HDL) sometimes called “good” cholesterol. Reducing saturated fats and salt in your diet and adding regular moderate physical activity, such as walking 30 minutes per day can greatly improve risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, helping to delay or prevent heart disease and stroke.
More information about Heart Disease from the CDC.
Type 2 Diabetes
Being overweight or obese is a leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Being overweight can keep your body from making and using insulin properly. The body needs insulin to transport glucose (also called blood sugar) to the cells of the body. Diabetes results when glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells. Over time, diabetes can cause other serious health problems like blindness, amputations, and kidney failure.
More information about Diabetes from the CDC.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It is caused by the breakdown and loss of cartilage—the tissue that serves as a “cushion” in between joints. Individuals with the condition experience deep, aching pain in the joints. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis and treatment relies on relieving pain and staying physically active to minimize the symptoms. Excess weight, especially on weight-bearing joints (knees, hips) can make symptoms worse.
More information about Osteoarthritis from the CDC.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleeping) is more common in people who are obese. Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of asthma and severe bronchitis, as well as obesity hypoventilation syndrome (failing to breathe rapidly enough or deeply enough) and respiratory insufficiency.
More information about Obstructive Sleep Apnea from the CDC.
Infertility and Birth Defects
A growing percentage of women of childbearing age are overweight or obese. Obesity is known to cause menstrual problems, difficulty getting pregnant, complications during pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal obesity has been linked to serious birth defects of the head and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida). It can also lead to gynecological problems, such as abnormal periods and infertility. Women can lower the likelihood of developing these conditions if they maintain a healthy weight.
More information about Infertility and Birth Defects from the CDC.
Underweight
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis or “porous bone” is a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of bone fractures typically in the wrist, hip, and spine. People with low BMIs have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than those with normal BMIs.
More information about Osteoporosis from the CDC.
Anemia (Iron Deficiency)
Anemia occurs when the body is not able to transport enough oxygen in the red blood cells. Some of the symptoms of anemia include heart palpitations, exhaustion, fainting or feeling extremely dizzy. This condition is caused by iron deficiencies. People restricting food intake or dieting are more likely to suffer from anemia.
More information about Iron and Iron Deficiency from the CDC.
What Can You Do to Maintain a Healthy Weight?
Everyone—regardless of their BMI—should pay attention to the nutritional value of the foods they eat and their levels of physical activity. The Nutrition page can direct you to some resources to help you learn more about healthy foods. The Parks & Recreation page can help you find great places in Florida to get active!