What Should I Weigh
Many people wonder about their weight. People often wonder if they are truly overweight or how much should be their ideal body weight. It is also interesting that a lot of people never ask the question of whether they are underweight or not. There are a lot of things to consider when talking about ideal weight and not just your doctor’s opinion.
Medical Recommendation vs. Ideal Body Weight by Peers
Take note that at times what your peers think is the ideal weight for your age isn’t exactly what your doctor would say your ideal weight should be. Popular culture nowadays is driving a lot of people to a huge frenzy over what weight is ideal and what is not.
Many women tend to perceive or set their ideal weight to quite unrealistically low levels. However, men have been observed to perceive their ideal weight to be a bit higher than what medical experts really recommend. In reality the men should listen to what the women are saying and vice versa. Remember that there should be a balance between what your peers say and what your doctors recommend as your ideal weight.
Determining Factors
Take note that there are a lot of things to put into consideration when determining your ideal body weight. One thing you should never do is to surmise that the other fellow’s weight should be your ideal weight. Take note that an ideal weight is determined individually according to different determining factors.
Some of the determining factors you and your health worker should determine includes your body mass index, your age, height, sex, bone density, muscle-fat ratio, muscle mass, and waist-hip ratio. Each individual is uniquely constituted, so there isn’t a standard ideal weight that everyone should keep up with. However, medical experts do agree on a certain weight range that they consider as healthy. Everyone should work to get into that healthy weight range on their own terms and according to their own pace.
Argument over BMI
You will read a lot of things regarding what is known as the body mass index. Some people argue against it while others argue in favor of the BMI. Some people, even some experts, argue that it isn’t a completely accurate tool. Others consider it as a good working estimate that needs some augmentation, useful but will need some work.
The general consensus of medical authorities in the world is that people with a BMI of less than 18.5 are generally underweight. Some countries have this lower limit at 20. They also agree that a BMI from 18.5 to 25 is the ideal one. Furthermore, some believe that the overweight BMI is somewhere between 25 and 30. Finally, they agree that people who have scores higher than 30 are obese.
Waist-Hip Ratio
Your BMI is not the only tool to determine your ideal body weight. A person’s waist to hip ratio is also an important determining factor. Men’s WHR, or waist to hip ratio, is different from women’s. Men who have WHR that is lower than nine have minimal risk for cardiovascular disease. If it goes somewhere between 0.9 and 0.99 there is moderate cardiovascular health risk. Getting one or even higher means you have a high risk of cardiovascular health problems.
The scores are different for women. Women who have WHR at 0.8 or lower have low risk of cardiovascular health problems. If it is at 0.8 to 0.89 there is moderate risk. And when it goes to 0.9 or even higher, that woman has a high cardiovascular problem risk. However, both BMI and WHR do not measure one’s body fat percentage.
Body Fat Percentage
Another important factor your health care provider will use to determine if you have an ideal body weight is your body fat percentage. Remember that you don’t really need to get rid of all your body fat. There is actually essential that you need to survive. There is also what is known as storage fat which actually protects your internal organs. The ideal percentages will vary for men and women. The amount of physical activity you engage in also determines your acceptable body fat percentage.
Working with Your Doctor
These are only some of the important determining factors to ascertain your ideal body weight. Keep in mind that you should work closely with your health care professional or health/gym instructor to get you into the healthy weight range. Your ideal weight is determined individually, which basically means you don’t have to fall prey to peer pressure.