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How To Determine If Body Weight Is Healthy?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Jul 2014
Question: Hi dr XXXXXXX

I'm 5'9 183 pounds. I'm in excellent shape exercise daily and eat healthy. But I've entered my weight and height into a number of online calculators. They tell me that I'm over weight/obese.

What are your thoughts?



doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)
Brief answer.....given below
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Standard way of calculating the BMI gives a result of your BMI as around 27,which is definitely overweight but this doesn't present a true picture.
The best way to determine whether you are healthy or overweight is by calculating your body fat percentage.This is calculated by dividing your fat by your total weight.
You are considered normal if this value is between 18-25%.
If it is above 25%,then you are overweight.
Many gyms have this facility where you can get your body fat percentage estimated.
I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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How To Determine If Body Weight Is Healthy?

Brief answer.....given below Detailed answer.... Hello, Thanks for the query. Standard way of calculating the BMI gives a result of your BMI as around 27,which is definitely overweight but this doesn't present a true picture. The best way to determine whether you are healthy or overweight is by calculating your body fat percentage.This is calculated by dividing your fat by your total weight. You are considered normal if this value is between 18-25%. If it is above 25%,then you are overweight. Many gyms have this facility where you can get your body fat percentage estimated. I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks