Experts Reveal the Healthy Weight Range Based on Your Height

Health experts say that while BMI provides a general idea of weight, it does not give a complete picture of the body or overall health. In particular, it cannot differentiate between muscle and fat mass.

Additionally, BMI cannot indicate whether fat distribution in the body is healthy, and therefore it does not clearly reflect the risk of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases.

A study published this year in the world-renowned journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology highlighted that relying solely on BMI can give a misleading understanding of an individual’s health.

Instead, experts recommend combining BMI with other measurements, such as waist circumference and body fat percentage.

Researchers also emphasize that to get a true understanding of weight and health, these measurements should be considered along with lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, and genetic predisposition.


 

What is BMI and Its Limitations

To calculate BMI, a person’s weight in kilograms and height in meters are required. The weight is divided by the square of the height in meters:

BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m)²

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

• BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight.

• BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal/ideal.

• BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates overweight.

• BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese.

However, experts now say that this calculation cannot distinguish between lean muscle mass and fat mass. For example, an athlete or muscular individual may have a high BMI but low body fat, while someone with a “normal” BMI may actually carry excess fat.

Researchers advise that to get an accurate understanding of weight and health, one should not rely solely on BMI. Other measurements should also be considered.