During the week of Jan. 15-21, Americans will celebrate the 20th annual Healthy Weight Week. This is a time to recognize the importance of achieving a healthy weight for life, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. It is also a time to recognize our uniqueness as an individual and appreciate everything our body does for us. 

I am often asked, “What is a healthy weight for me?” This is such a difficult question because what really determines the weight we should be at? There are many different height and weight charts available. Newer charts break down the body types to small, medium and large frames. The numbers indicate a compilation of weight averages of people between the ages of 25 and 59 who have the lowest mortality rate. The website www.lifemana.com/weight-chart.html demonstrates this type of chart.

The BMI (Body Mass Index) chart has become widely used as a weight guide based on health disease risk. The higher your BMI, the more at risk you are of getting diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancers. BMI is based on your height and weight, and does not factor in frame size. The BMI weight ranges classify individuals as either severely underweight, underweight, optimal, overweight, obese, and severely obese based on their height and weight. In rare cases the BMI chart is misleading, as with an athlete with a very high muscle mass. The athlete may be labeled as “obese” on the chart because of the muscle mass. Overall, the BMI chart as well as other weight charts available can be used as a guide in assessing your desired weight. Go to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi for help in calculating your BMI.