BMI Scale
To Determine Your Goal Weight

The BMI scale is a great way to determine what your ideal weight is for the purpose of setting a goal weight as you begin your weight loss program.

You use the body mass index (BMI) to determine your BMI value. This value is based on your height and weight and indicates whether or not you are considered overweight based on established BMI weight ranges.

Generally, if your BMI value is in the range between 18.5 and 25, you are considered to be at a healthy weight. Below 18.5 is considered underweight and over 25 is considered overweight. Any BMI values over 30 put you in the obese weight range, which typically indicates you are at an increased risk of heart disease and other serious health conditions.

If your BMI value indicates that you are overweight, you can use the BMI scale to determine what your healthy weight should be for a BMI value in the healthy range.

To determine your current BMI value, use this body mass index (BMI) scale (opens in another browser window). See the excerpt below for an example of how to interpret the scale.

 

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22

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27

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33

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Height

Weight (in pounds)

5’11” (71”)

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157

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193

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236

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This example shows selected entries from the scale for a 5’11” adult. So, if you are 5’11” and weigh 193lbs, your BMI is 27, which is considered overweight. Given that the range of BMI values for what is considered to be a healthy weight is between 18.5 and 25, the approximate mid-point of the healthy BMI range is 22. A BMI of 22 indicates a healthy weight of 157lbs for a 5’11” adult. The healthy weight, overweight, and obese weight ranges are color-coded green, yellow, and red, respectively.

It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, the BMI index does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes like body builders and weight lifters that are very muscular, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat. However, for most of us, the BMI index pretty accurately reflects where we fall in the healthy weight to obese weight range.

Use the BMI scale to determine what your goal weight is based on the established healthy BMI and weight ranges. Set this healthy weight as your goal, then select a good weight loss plan, stick to it and aim for your goal weight!


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