Ideal weight for height (with online calculator)

The ideal weight is the weight a person should have for their height, being considered a healthy weight range that allows a marked reduction in the risk of various health problems, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes or even malnutrition.

To calculate the ideal weight in adults, it is recommended to use the body mass index, or BMI, which mainly takes height into account. In the case of children, the formula used to determine ideal weight varies according to age and sex. See how to know the ideal weight for boys and the ideal weight for girls.

It is important to mention that BMI does not take into account the amount of fat, muscle or water a person has, being just a reference to the person’s weight for their height. Therefore, people who have a lot of muscle mass or fluid retention should not evaluate their weight solely through BMI, and it is recommended to consult a nutritionist to carry out a more detailed assessment.

Ideal weight calculator for adults

To calculate the ideal weight for adults, use our calculator by entering your data below:

The ideal weight is an estimate of how much a person should weigh for their height, however there are other important factors that must be taken into consideration, such as the amount of fat, muscle and water, to determine what the ideal weight actually is.

If there is any doubt regarding weight, the ideal is to consult a nutritionist to carry out a complete nutritional assessment and measure the percentage of fat and muscle, as well as considering other factors such as level of physical activity and personal history.

Make an appointment with your nearest nutritionist or doctor using the following tool:

See the following video for some tips on how to weigh yourself correctly at home:

How to know the ideal weight for children

In the case of children, weight is a very important measurement as it helps to understand the general nutritional status, serving as a relevant parameter, especially in the first 2 years of life, to assess whether the baby is growing and developing correctly.

The best way to know if your baby or child is at their ideal weight is to consult your pediatrician, however, there are some weight tables that can help. Depending on the age of the child, the table to consult is different. Up to 2 years of age, weight should be assessed according to the growth percentile, while between 2 and 5 years of age it is recommended to assess weight based on height. From the age of 5, children’s BMI is used.

Check out all the weight tables for boys between 0 and 18 years old and girls between 0 and 18 years old.

How to reach ideal weight

When a person is outside their ideal weight value, they should consult a nutritionist to start a diet adapted to their needs, to increase or decrease weight. Additionally, you should also consult a physical education teacher to start a suitable exercise plan.

Reaching the ideal weight depends on whether the person is above or below it, so:

1. If you are overweight

For those who are over their ideal weight and want to achieve it, it is important to increase their consumption of healthy foods, rich in fiber and low in calories, such as eggplant, ginger, salmon and flax seeds. These foods help speed up metabolism and reduce anxiety, promoting weight loss. Check out other examples of foods that help you lose weight.

To reach your goal faster, it is recommended that you exercise to increase calorie expenditure and metabolism. The nutritionist can recommend some teas and natural supplements, if necessary, to promote weight loss and reduce anxiety.

In the case of morbid obesity, the doctor may recommend the use of some medications that help, together with an adequate diet and physical activity, to lose weight. Another option is bariatric surgery, which is recommended for obese people who have tried to lose weight through dieting, but have failed.

In addition to the ideal weight, it is also important to know the result of the waist-to-hip ratio to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as diabetes and heart attack.

Read too: Waist-hip ratio (WHR): what it is and how to calculate it

2. If you are underweight

If the BMI result is below the ideal weight, it is important to seek guidance from a nutritionist so that a complete nutritional assessment can be carried out and a nutritional plan adapted to the person’s individual needs can be indicated.

In principle, weight gain must happen in a healthy way, favoring weight gain through muscle hypertrophy and not through the accumulation of fat in the body. Therefore, the consumption of foods such as pizzas, fried foods, hot dogs and hamburgers are not the best options for those who need to gain weight in a healthy way, as this type of fat can accumulate inside the arteries, increasing the risk of diseases. cardiac.

To increase muscle mass, it is important to eat foods rich in protein such as eggs, cheese, milk and dairy products, chicken or salmon, in addition to eating every 3 hours to increase caloric intake.

Read too: Diet to gain weight (and gain muscle mass)

In some cases, the lack of appetite may be related to a physical or emotional illness and the doctor may recommend medical tests to identify what may be the cause of weight loss.

Check out the video below for some tips for gaining weight in a healthy way: