Healthy Weight |
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Understanding Body WeightToo many Americans are preoccupied with their body weight. More than half of all women and more than one-third of men are dissatisfied with their shape, size, or body weight. And these obsessions are even higher among our younger population. In many cases, people see themselves as much worse off than others see them. What can we do about this? American society places way too much emphasis on body weight and size. Messages are hard for most people to take, whether they are within healthy weight ranges or not. You need to understand who you are as a person, on the inside, and not focus solely on your outside appearance. In the meantime, aim for a healthier attitude. Instead of seeking to be thin, focus on being healthy. Is Body Weight Constant Throughout Life?There are so many people who focus on a set body weight based on the chart found on the wall of the doctor's office or illustrated in a book. Some believe that this number is set in stone and that it should not vary throughout adult life. They think that their body weight in their twenties should remain constant through their thirties, forties, and beyond.Focusing on a set number can be the first step in developing an obsession with body weight that can continue throughout life. Too many times, people dwell on what they weighed when they got married or before they had a child. (Isn't it funny how we can clearly remember these numbers?) This obsession can take over your life and can lead to problems with health, depression, and your overall well-being. Who Decides What's Ideal?Old measurements for determining an "ideal" weight for a person were based on the height/weight charts compiled by an insurance company. Tables were established based on height and weight ratios of insured persons with the greatest lifespan. Two charts were generally used, one for those nineteen to thirty-four and another for those thirty-five and older. People looked up their height and age on these charts. The charts gave a range in which their weights should fall, with the midpoint being that person's "ideal." Over the years, health researchers and nutrition professionals determined height/weight chart measurements were not as accurate as they could be and that these numbers did not take into account optimal body composition, including fat distribution. Many people swore by the numbers on the chart, but in fact these were not always the best measurement of our population as a whole.
Determining a Healthy WeightA healthy weight is a range for a particular body build that takes into account total fat, muscle, bone, and water for a person's size. This weight varies from person to person and is established to be the weight somewhere between an underweight status and an overweight status, at which this person would be most healthy. Healthy Weight Versus Normal/Ideal Weight Today, standards regarding weight have changed. Many health professionals prefer to use the term "healthy weight" rather than referring to one's "normal" or "ideal" weight. A "healthy" weight depends on a number of factors—age, gender, height, and frame or body size. Healthy weight should not be confused with a weight in which a person is his or her slimmest or thinnest. Does every person have a predetermined weight? Some researchers believe so. This predetermined weight, often referred to as a person's "set point," implies that each person may have a predestined weight that allows a variation of about 10 percent on each side. For most individuals, staying within this range is quite easy, but moving beyond it is difficult. Charts created recently more accurately take into account total body composition. They do so by providing ranges of numbers that are appropriate for individuals, rather than just a single number. Because no one person stays at the same weight for his entire life, and because bodies change through the years, no one weight is standard for a person during his entire life. It is very common for women to add an extra 10 to 15 pounds, and for men to gain 20 to 30 pounds, throughout their adult years. And it is healthy to do so. During one's elder years, when illnesses or accidents may be more common, a few extra pounds can be a benefit by providing additional stores of body fat and some extra cushioning around the bones. Healthy Weight Ranges for Adults One such established chart helps individuals determine a "healthy weight range" for themselves. This chart takes a range of numbers into account, not just a single one, thereby allowing higher numbers for those people with larger body builds and greater amounts of muscle and bone. This chart is also useful for all adult age groups. While it is believed that people put on weight as they age, this weight gain should remain within the allowable range for height.
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