Women's ideal weight: how to calculate your ideal weight?
The ideal weight, for women as well as for men, is not a concern that concerns only aesthetics: keeping close to your ideal weight is important for a matter of health. Of course, the calculation of the ideal weight, if carried out only in based on "height and age", it could lead to misleading results: there are many factors that contribute to determining what the ideal weight should be and every single woman represents a case in itself, in addition to the fact that any table we can consult cannot be it says nothing specific about the relationship between our lean and fat mass (the so-called BMI, or body mass index).
In any case, making this calculation allows us to have an "approximate idea of a" range "in which it would be good to fall in order to avoid overweight or underweight problems. Remember that obesity, according to research by the World Health Organization, is at number 5 of the main causes of death in the Western world. Worrying about your weight (without getting too fixated on the numbers on the scale) is important to avoid cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tumors, arteriosclerosis and other pathologies, not to mention possible psychological repercussions: pleasure to themselves is essential!
So let's find out together how to calculate the ideal weight for women, before and after menopause. And if you need to start a bit of a diet, don't despair! Here are 10 things to know:
Calculation of the ideal weight for women based on height (and wrist): the formulas
The calculation of the ideal weight is carried out by means of specific formulas, elaborated on statistical studies. Let us therefore remember once again how the results of these calculations should not be considered in absolute terms, but relative: the true weight is what makes you feel good about yourself, but keeping health problems at a distance.
One of the most used formulas for the calculation is the Lorenz formula which, as you will notice, does not take into account either age or bone structure. The formula is this: Height in cm - 100 - (height in cm - 150) / 2 .
Broca's formula, on the other hand, is carried out only on the basis of height. It is a question of subtracting the number 104 from the height expressed in cm (Height in cm - 104).
Also the formula of Wan Der Vael only considers the height: (Height in cm - 150) x 0,6 + 50.
Thus Keys' formula: (Height in m) ² x 20.6.
Travia's formula: (1.012 x height in cm) - 107.5.
Livi's formula: (2.37 x height in m) x 3.
In the Berthean formula, age comes into play: 0.8 x (height in cm - 100) + age / 2
The same goes for Perrault's formula: Height in cm - 100 + age / 10 x 0.9.
Attention: none of these formulas consider important factors such as bone structure, but also lifestyle: those who practice a lot of sport could be, for example, overweight, but it would be a particularly developed lean mass and not fat!
The type of body should also be considered: short-limbed, normolinea or long-limbed. It is generally possible to calculate your own from your wrist. Measure the circumference of the right wrist at the base of the hand: if the result is greater than 10.9 cm you are long-limbed and the result of the calculation of the ideal weight with the previous formulas you will have to apply a reduction of 5%. If your wrist measurement is between 9.9 and 10.9 you are normolinea. If it is less than 9.9 you are short and will have to apply a 5% increase on the result of the calculation of the ideal weight.
Healthy weight before and after menopause: how the calculation changes for women aged 50 - 60 and up
After menopause, fat mass tends to increase due to a simple hormonal issue: anabolic hormones (those that help build muscle mass) decrease, while the catabolic ones, responsible for fat mass, increase. As a result, the metabolism slows down, and it becomes increasingly important to pay attention to your diet and practice sports regularly.
Therefore, it becomes essential to calculate your body mass index (BMI) in order to understand what the ideal weight to maintain would be. The BMI is calculated by dividing one's weight (expressed in kg) by the square of the height (expressed in meters).
In general, if the result is between 18.5 and 24.99 we can be considered normal weight. Six is between 16 and 18.49 is underweight, while under 16 it is a state of severe thinness. Between 25 and 29.99 he was overweight. Between 30 and 34.99 we speak of mild obesity. Between 35 and 39.99: average obesity. This is severe obesity above 40.
The BMI for a woman over the age of 50 should fall between the values of 24 and 29. Below that figure you can be considered underweight, above overweight. The more you get out of that range, the more likely you are to run into health problems.
Here is a video about the false myths of diet and wellness about which it is always good to be informed:
See Also: Diet and Wellness Myths You Should Stop Believing
For information on BMI you can also consult the website of the Ministry of Health
