Your Ideal Weight Is Not Overweight

A person's weight is a highly personal matter, but here are some guidelines supplied by the actuaries of life insurance companies interested in knowing what is the best weight for the longest and healthiest life, and for maximum profits for the insurance company. By definition, obese means being 20 percent or more above one's ideal weight. A person with an ideal weight of 120 pounds would be obese at 144 pounds or more.

Overweight, on the other hand, usually means being 10 to 19 percent above one's ideal weight. Our hypothetical person with an ideal weight of 120 pounds would be overweight at 132 to 143 pounds. 

Your Ideal Weight Is Not Overweight

For a man's ideal weight—allow 100 pounds for 5' of height. Then add 6 pounds for each additional inch of height. The ideal weight of a 5' 10" man would be 160 pounds. 

For a woman's ideal weight—allow 106 pounds for 5' of height. Then add 5 pounds for each additional inch of height. The ideal weight of a 5' 5" woman would be 131 pounds. 

The ideal weight for large and small boned people can be adjusted. For large boned, add 5% to the above figures. Subtract 5% for small boned people. Use the table below as a guide.