Ideal Age-to-Weight Ratio

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By Paul Lupi
eHow Contributing Writer

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An age-to-weight ratio is not a credited method in determining health-related risk. The National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control all use the body mass index, a simple height to weight ratio to determine proper health. Roughly two thirds of Americans are overweight using BMI as the primary measurement and thus at an increased risk for disease. Understanding how to calculate BMI and what happens to a person when they are at a particular BMI is important to know.

What is Body Mass Index?

The body mass index (BMI) is a ratio of a person's height compared to his body weight. The formula is [Weight (lb.) / (Height (in.) x Height (in)] x 703.

For example if a person is 5'10" (70 in.) and 180 lbs., the calculation would be as follows; [180 / (70 x 70)] x703 = 25.82

What does BMI mean?

Having an elevated BMI will put a person in danger of acquiring a weight-related disease, including:
--Heart attack
--Stroke
--Type 2 diabetes
--High blood pressure
--Congestive heart failure
--Prostate, colon and rectal cancer
--gallstones and gall bladder disease
--Gout
--Osteoarthritis of the knees, hips and the lower back
--Sleep apnea

BMI Ranges

BMI from 20 to 26 is desirable for most middle-aged adults. Persons with a BMI within this range have the lowest risk of disease and premature death.

BMI from 27 to 29 is moderately overweight and carries a slightly increased risk of weight-related health problems, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and adult-onset diabetes.

BMI of 30 to 40 is overweight. The risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and other weight-related illnesses is likely.

BMI of 40 or more is severely overweight and this person is in danger of dying early.

Age Related BMI

As a person ages the acceptable limits of BMI increases as older individuals typically have a higher percentage of body fat. The National Academy of Sciences' report on BMI suggests that the following are healthy age-related BMI scores:
--45 to 54 years, 22 to 27
--55 to 65 years, 23 to 28
--65 and older, 24 to 29

Ways to Lower BMI

As most people cannot grow much taller, the only way to decrease BMI is to decrease weight. To lose weight one must burn off more calories than consumed. This is best done by monitoring one's diet and decreasing total calories and increasing one's physical activity.