Am I Obese? Whats My Ideal Weight?

Are you obese? Alot of people wonder because the stereotypes in the media really get people thinking about their appearance and if they are fat or at thier ideal weight.

The general definition of obesity is if you are 30 percent over your ideal weight. This is where most people would like to know just what their ideal weight is!:-)

Your ideal weight is a subject of much hoopla to me (I'll put my view points on this after). Most doctors involved with obesity or weight loss deem ideal weight as " A body mass index (BMI) of 25 up to 30 kg/m2."

The centers for disease control and prevention list the following details for BMI and where your stand:

  • Below 18.5 Under weight
  • 18.5 – 24.9 Normal
  • 25.0 – 29.9 Over weight
  • 30.0 and Above Obese

    • So in order to know if you are obese you should supposedly know if your your BMI is around 25 to 30 kg/m2. Lets figure out BMI then: ( if you would like an automatic BMI calculator check it out below.

    BMI Calculator

    To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight in the boxes below, and then click "calculate".

    Height in feet: and inches:

    Enter your weight in pounds: lbs

    Press the button to see your BMI:
    BMI: 

    Here is how you figure out your BMI by math:
    BMI = (YOUR WEIGHT IN POUNDS divided by (HIEGHT IN INCHES X HIEGHT IN INCHES) all multiplied by 703

    GOT IT DONE? GOOD! So where did you end up? Are you obese?

    Okay, lets break for a second. Take a breath and let me tell you the low down.

    My Resluts From Begin At The Gym I'm a personal trainer, here is my picture as I am now. I'm 5'9'' and 182 pounds. I'm usually around 10-14% bodyfat. AND I HAVE A BMI OF 26.9! GUESS I MUST BE OVER WEIGHT and close to obese!!

    So what's the deal then? Well like I said earlier, I have a little beef with BMI and obesity as most people would quantify it. I think being over weight or obese should be gauged by your bodyfat percentage. WHY?

    Well normal BMI readings are taking into account your whole body, bones, muscle, and fat. So even if you have barely any fat and can see your abs they think you are obese and not at your ideal weight, just like me.

    Now Body Fat percentage tests are a different story. The only thing looked at here is how much fat and muscle you have by percentages of your overall body weight. Obesity this way states that above 25% bodyfat for men is obese and above 32% bodyfat is obese for women.

    Cool! This way, we are not looking so bad now!

    By Ray Burton
    Author Of Fat To Fit