Many people struggle with the concept of having an ideal weight. While it is easy to determine if one is overweight or underweight, most individuals have difficulty determining whether they have an ideal weight or not.

There are different metrics for assessing your ideal weight, and this article will show you four ways to know if you have your ideal weight or not.

Method 1: Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is perhaps the most popular way to determine ideal weight. It calculates the ratio of one’s height to weight.

BMI is easy to calculate and interpret, and it has the added advantage of being universally accepted as a measure of body fatness. However, BMI has its limitations, because it is not always accurate for certain individuals, such as athletes with high muscle mass.

To know your BMI, divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height in meters squared. BMI scores are categorised as follows:.

Below 18.5 – Underweight
18.5 to 24.9 – Normal Weight
25.0 to 29.9 – Overweight
Above 30.0 – Obese

Method 2: Waist Circumference

Another way to determine your ideal weight is by measuring your waist circumference. Waist circumference is a measure of abdominal fat and is a better predictor of health risk than BMI.

An individual with excess abdominal fat, regardless of their BMI score, may have an increased risk of developing various health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and high blood pressure.

Take a measuring tape and measure the distance around your waist, which should be done at the level of your belly button.

Men with a waist circumference greater than 102cm (40 inches), and women with a waist circumference greater than 88cm (35 inches) are at a higher risk of developing health problems. For women, a waist circumference of 80cm (32 inches) or less is considered healthy, whereas, for men, the healthy range for waist circumference would be less than 94cm (37 inches).

Method 3: Waist-To-Hip Ratio (WHR)

Waist-To-Hip Ratio (sometimes referred to as WHR) is another way to determine your ideal weight. WHR is a measure of the proportion of fat stored in your body around your waistline and hips.

It is a more accurate measure of body composition and is used to determine if one has an apple-shaped body or a pear-shaped body. Apple-shaped individuals tend to carry more fat around their waists, while pear-shaped individuals carry more fat around their hips and thighs.

To get your WHR, divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement. A ratio of over 0.90 in men and over 0.85 in women indicates an increased risk of developing health problems like diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and heart diseases.

A ratio under 0.90 in men and under 0.85 in women is considered healthy.

Method 4: Body Fat Percentage

The last method to assess your ideal weight is by calculating the body fat percentage. Body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of body composition than BMI.

It involves estimating the percentage of fat and muscle a person has in their body and is calculated using the person’s weight and body fat distribution.

To determine your body fat percentage, you can use a body fat caliper or get it professionally measured at a gym or health facility. A healthy body fat percentage range for men is between 10-20%, while for women, it should be between 18-28%.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are different ways to determine your ideal weight, and none of these methods is perfect. Some methods are good for certain individuals, while others are not suitable for others.

It is important to note that your ideal weight is not necessarily a fixed number, but rather a range where you feel comfortable and healthy.

It is essential to discuss your ideal weight with a physician or a licensed nutritionist who will take into consideration all factors, including your age, gender, and body type.