There is an easy to use a ratio for calculating a healthy weight to height. It's called the body mass index (BMI). Your body weight ideally should be within the index ranges based on a number of factors; however, there can be some extenuating circumstances such as pregnancy that could put your weight temporarily out of the range. Your BMI is determined from your weight and height. It provides you with the approximate amount of lean tissue versus fat tissue or an estimate of body fat. You can find BMI charts and calculators online, including the Mayo Clinic's website.

Determine your BMI

Determine if you're in the healthy range by reading across the the chart. You will need to know your current and exact height and weight. Your age is less important though they are considerations for belly fat and muscle density. Determine your healthy weight range on the chart. Next use the BMI calculator to determine what's known as your index. Your BMI index will be calculated by your weight divided by the square of your height, but the calculation is made simple for you by the calculator. A healthy BMI index is considered to fall between 19 and 22. People within this range have been shown to live longer and have less incidence of heart disease.

Be Honest

Make an honest assessment of your BMI range and index. A woman who is 5 feet 5 inches and weighs 145 pounds has a BMI of 24, which is considered to be within a healthy range. If you fall into an unhealthy range, don't make excuses by saying you're "big boned." Excess abdominal weight has been linked to dramatically increased health risks, according to studies cited by Science Daily. If you have excess weight around the midsection, then take steps to reduce it. This will allow you to move into a healthy BMI range and improve your quality of life.


Keep in mind that if you're well muscled it can skew your BMI calculation since muscle is more dense than fat. Allow for a higher BMI for people who are very muscular and physically fit. Conversely, it may not account for unneeded fat in people with low muscle mass, so age must be considered. Consider the benefits of achieving a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise and begin a plan today to get to your healthy BMI.

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