Do You Weigh What You Should?
For decades, medical guidelines on how to figure the "ideal" weight for your height have been based on life insurance industry tables, like those provided below, showing the heights and weights at which their customers have had the greatest longevity. The U.S. Government, citing the results of recent research, has published a height/weight table blessing slightly higher weights for people over the age of 35. But other authorities are questioning the wisdom of that message.
| MEN |
|---|
Height
(in shoes) | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|
| 5'2" | 128-134 | 131-141 | 138-150 |
|---|
| 5'3" | 130-136 | 133-143 | 140-153 |
|---|
| 5'4" | 132-138 | 135-145 | 142-156 |
|---|
| 5'5" | 134-140 | 137-148 | 144-160 |
|---|
| 5'6" | 136-142 | 139-151 | 146-164 |
|---|
| 5'7" | 138-145 | 142-154 | 149-168 |
|---|
| 5'8" | 140-148 | 145-157 | 152-172 |
|---|
| 5'9" | 142-151 | 148-160 | 155-176 |
|---|
| 5'10" | 144-154 | 151-163 | 158-180 |
|---|
| 5'11" | 146-157 | 154-166 | 161-184 |
|---|
| 6' | 149-160 | 157-170 | 164-188 |
|---|
| 6'1" | 152-164 | 160-174 | 168-192 |
|---|
| 6'2" | 155-168 | 164-178 | 172-197 |
|---|
| 6'3" | 158-172 | 167-182 | 176-202 |
|---|
| 6'4" | 162-176 | 171-187 | 181-207 |
|---|
| WOMEN |
|---|
Height
(in shoes) | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|
| 4'10" | 102-111 | 109-121 | 118-131 |
|---|
| 4'11" | 103-113 | 111-123 | 120-134 |
|---|
| 5' | 104-115 | 113-126 | 122-137 |
|---|
| 5'1" | 106-118 | 115-129 | 125-140 |
|---|
| 5'2" | 108-121 | 118-132 | 128-143 |
|---|
| 5'3" | 111-124 | 121-135 | 131-147 |
|---|
| 5'4" | 114-127 | 124-138 | 134-151 |
|---|
| 5'5" | 117-130 | 127-141 | 137-155 |
|---|
| 5'6" | 120-133 | 130-144 | 140-159 |
|---|
| 5'7" | 123-136 | 133-147 | 143-163 |
|---|
| 5'8" | 126-139 | 136-150 | 146-167 |
|---|
| 5'9" | 129-142 | 139-153 | 149-170 |
|---|
| 5'10" | 132-145 | 142-156 | 152-173 |
|---|
| 5'11" | 135-148 | 145-159 | 155-176 |
|---|
| 6' | 138-151 | 148-162 | 158-179 |
|---|
SOURCE: Build Study, 1979, Society of Actuaries and Associations of Life Insurance Medical Directors of America, Copyright 1983, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
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