How do I know if I’m overweight, underweight, or if my weight is normal?
by Admin
Posted on 08-04-2025 04:03 PM
One measure of having overweight and obesity is your body mass index (bmi), which can be determined by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplying by 703. For example, a woman who is 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 140 would have a bmi of 22. 6, as follows:
5 feet 6 inches = 66 inches
66 squared = 4,356
140 divided by 4,356 = 0.
0321
0. 0321 x 703 = 22. 6if a woman’s bmi is under 18. 5, she is considered underweight; between 18. 5 and 24. 9, she is considered of healthy weight; between 25 and 29.
Find out your body body mass index (bmi) can help you see if your weight is raising your risk for health problems. It uses a formula to compare how much you weigh with how tall you are. A bmi lower than 18. 5 is considered underweight. A bmi between 18. 5 and 24. 9 is considered healthy. A bmi between 25 and 29. 9 is considered overweight. A bmi of 30 or higher is considered obese. If your bmi is in the normal range, it means that you have a lower risk for weight-related health problems. If your bmi is in the overweight or obese range, you may be at increased risk for weight-related health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis or joint pain, and diabetes. https://www.specialistsupplements.com/product-category/women/
As hard as I try, I just can’t lose that 10 pounds. Shouldn’t I just give up?
It can be harder to lose weight after menopause.
In fact, many women gain an average of 5 pounds after menopause. 5 lower estrogen levels may play a role in weight gain after menopause. But weight gain may be caused by your metabolism slowing down as you age, less-healthful eating habits, and being less active. You also lose muscle mass as you age, so you use fewer calories. Staying active and eating healthy foods can help you stay on track with your weight-loss goals.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “calories in, calories out” — as in, you just need to burn more calories than you eat and drink. But it’s not that simple, as many people can tell you from their own experience. Nutrition and exercise are both important when trying to lose weight. Eating fewer calories has a bigger immediate impact, but staying active will help you keep the pounds off. And, of course, exercise has major benefits for your body and mind whether you’re trying to lose weight or not. Your metabolism — how well your body turns calories into fuel — matters, too.
My healthcare professional says my weight is normal, but I need to exercise more. Why should I exercise if I don’t need to lose weight?
Long-term weight loss takes time and effort. So be sure that you’re ready to eat healthy foods and become more active. Ask yourself the following questions: do i have a strong desire to change habits to help me lose weight? am i too distracted by other pressures? do i use food to cope with stress? am i ready to learn new ways to cope with stress? do i need other support — either from friends or healthcare professionals — to manage stress? am i willing to change my eating habits?
what is it about menopause that makes it so hard to keep off the weight? it’s likely a mix of factors related to menopause and aging. The impact of estrogen. In animal studies, estrogen appears to help control body weight. With lower estrogen levels , lab animals tend to eat more and be less physically active. Reduced estrogen may also lower metabolic rate , the rate at which the body converts stored energy into working energy. It’s possible the same thing happens with women when estrogen levels drop after menopause. Some evidence suggests that estrogen hormone therapy increases a woman’s resting metabolic rate.
