What’s The Best Weight For Your Height And Age?

What’s The Best Weight For Your Height And Age?

With age comes wisdom…and changes in weight. As we get older, we should consider our optimal weight for our current age and height.

A past Gallup poll suggested that 60 percent of Americans believed their weight was just about right. But the figure appeared as the same percentage of people who were overweight or obese.

This led people to asking if their ideal weight is truly healthy when height and age are considered. People don’t tend to notice the extra poundage as they get older, which adds to risks of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia, and even some forms of cancer.

“These are diseases you have to manage not just for a few months, but for a lifetime,” dietitian Rachel Brandeis explained to WebMD. “They impact your health, your wallet and your day-to-day activities.”

To achieve an optimal weight, here are some simple ways to recognize your body’s needs:

Check your BMI and waist size… properly


The body mass index (BMI) uses weight and height to determine body fat percentage. But for older adults, BMI can understate body fat. So, the best way to do this is checking waist size.

Put a tape measure around your waist, right above the belly button and look at the numbers. If the waist size appears more than 35 inches for a woman or 40 inches for a man, a person can be considered obese, according to Rush University Medical Center.

Seek small weight loss

Don’t run before you can walk. Aim for small amount of weight loss to improve your health, and not trying to lose your lump in one lump sum – it’s unrealistic and unhealthy.

Cutting weight by about 7 percent to 10 percent could improve metabolism and promote better well-being over time.

Related: Why Some People Gain Weight Faster than Others

Monitor your muscles and body fat

As people get older, their muscle shrinks. But even if you’re a senior, you can continue developing lean muscles mass and keep body fat down through good exercise and diet.

Photo Credit: FotoDuets/Shutterstock.com; VGstockstudio/Shutterstock.com

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