The problem of excess weight worries many in our time. To be slim means to be beautiful and healthy. Men and women calculate their ideal weight and do their best to meet the cherished figure. But how do you know what you're aiming for?

Most often, a simple formula is used - men subtract 100 from height in centimeters, and women 110. The resulting number is considered the optimal weight. However, this calculation does not take into account the age, body type of a person and other additional features. Therefore, it is not suitable for everyone. A more accurate result can be found by calculating the body mass index (BMI).

What is BMI

BMI is a value that shows how correct the ratio of height and weight of a person is. According to a special formula, it is calculated whether the subject is obese or malnourished. Often this method is used by doctors in the treatment of diseases associated with overweight or underweight.

The idea to calculate BMI belongs to a Belgian scientist who lived in the 19th century, by the name of Quetelet. Subsequently, many nutritionists and anthropologists made all kinds of adjustments to the table. At the moment, there are formulas by which you can find out BMI not only by Quetelet, but also by Brock, Humvee, Kreff and Devin. They received such names by the names of the scientists who calculated the indicators.

The formula for calculating BMI according to Brock was developed at the end of the 19th century by a doctor from France. It is ideal for the average man in the street with a height of 155 cm to 2 m. Brock's method was supplemented by Professor Kreff. In the calculations according to his method, the type of physique is taken into account.

According to a certain formula, you can find out if a person suffers from so-called central obesity. To do this, the waist is divided by the hips. A number above 0.9 indicates that the test subject has problems. An overhanging tummy is a threat to health. They say that extra centimeters at the waist deprive several years of life.

It should be noted that the indicators of the norm at different times differed. In recent years, the ideal BMI has become much smaller than before, and therefore the number of people suffering from overweight and obesity has statistically increased.

What does BMI depend on?

Sometimes the calculation of BMI gives not quite correct results. The fact is that it is important to remember that the ratio of adipose and muscle tissue in people is different and depends on many factors. Therefore, people with the same BMI do not look the same.

In order to make an accurate calculation of BMI, not only height is taken into account, but also a person’s age, gender, and body type, which is determined by the results of measuring the wrist.

There are fine-boned, normal-boned and broad-boned types. The BMI of lean individuals with narrow shoulders and chest should be less than those of hypersthenics with large forms. Sometimes, to determine the type of physique, the width of the chest is measured.

Due to differences in the ratio of musculature and adipose tissue, normal BMI men and women. It must also be taken into account age subject. The ideal weight of a young girl or guy will be different from the body weight of a mature person. This is not surprising. With age, the fat layer, which weighs less than muscle tissue, increases. So old man can get an ideal indicator as a result of calculations, and at the same time have problems with being overweight. Therefore, people over 50 are advised to monitor their waist-to-hip ratio to prevent central obesity.

A special formula and table are used to calculate the normal body mass index of children. In addition, do not forget that the ideal weight of girls and boys cannot be identical either. Different indicators will be in children under 2 years old and upon reaching this age.

In a special way, the ideal weight of athletes is calculated. They devote a lot of time to training, and therefore have developed muscles. Their ideal BMI will be significantly higher than that of the average person.

Why you need to know BMI

BMI is useful to know for those who monitor their figure and health. Doctors also use this indicator to determine the doses of medicines. In everyday life, it is used to control body weight.

It is much easier to follow the figure knowing what to strive for. And sometimes it happens that people invent problems for themselves. Young girls, for example, exhaust themselves with diets at absolutely normal weight, which leads to anorexia.

Calculating the body mass index will help determine if a person has problems and how serious they are. Nutritionists, on the basis of the indicators obtained, recommend a certain diet and exercise to an obese patient.

How to calculate BMI

It is quite difficult to calculate the body mass index on your own, taking into account all the nuances. We can help our users to cope with this task. For people who care about their weight, an online body mass index calculator has been developed. All that is required is to enter your data into the form and in a couple of seconds the result will appear on the screen. As a rule, it is enough to know your exact weight. For more reliable result you should specify the volume of the hips and wrists.

Choose which formula to use to calculate, and then compare the resulting number with the data in the table. Based on the result, it can be judged whether the weight of the test person is normal. BMI also indicates whether a person is underweight or morbidly overweight. Obesity has several degrees. This is also taken into account in the calculations.

We offer a handy online body mass index calculator. Despite its simplicity, it is quite accurate. You can calculate the body mass index based on age using different formulas or derive an average that will be as close to the correct one as possible.

BMI - an approximate indicator

Even using the most accurate formula, it is impossible to calculate the ideal weight. Each person is individual. Therefore, do not be upset if your indicators go beyond the norm.

The mistake of many, and especially for the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity, is the desire to be like models from glossy magazines. The slightest deviation from the norm can cause panic.

Of course, if the calculations indicate painful fullness, it is worth thinking about and trying to achieve better results. Obesity does not have a favorable effect on general well-being and on the state of human health. Excess weight leads to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and joint disease. Therefore, you should take action and get rid of extra pounds.

On the other hand, it happens that the BMI is within the normal range, and the body looks flabby and by no means young. In this case, you should not be proud of the results of the check and do not care about the shape. Attention should be paid to sports, or at least increased physical exercise to put the body in order. But such people do not need a diet at all ..

In any case, do not get hung up on dry numbers. The main thing is general well-being.

Even if the test results showed a poor result, you should listen to yourself. When a person is satisfied with his reflection in the mirror, and doctors do not see a threat to health in extra pounds, it is better to forget about formulas and calculations and enjoy life in the usual rhythm.

Presumably:

Ideal weight according to Broca's formula

There are many ways to calculate ideal body weight. Among others, the method proposed by the French surgeon and anthropologist Paul Broca in the nineteenth century stands out. Standardized formulas do not take into account the natural change in mass during life. P. Broca included in his calculations data on the age category to which the subject belongs, as well as information on the length of his body and the constitutional type of addition.

Calculation of ideal weight according to Broca's formula

Our weight changes over the years - it was intended by nature. The value on the scales, which at a young age could indicate extra pounds, often becomes the optimal weight indicator over time.

For people who are under forty years old, the French researcher recommends using the following formula: a person's ideal weight = height (cm) minus 110. For people who are already forty years old and older, the formula is suitable: height (cm) minus 100.

In addition to age, the calculation must take into account the growth of the subject. It is clear that the higher the subject, the more it will weigh, therefore, to find out your ideal weight, this technique suggests using the so-called " Brock-Brugsch growth index". For the subject under 1.65 m, the ideal weight is calculated as follows: height (cm) minus 100. In the case when the height is within 1.65-1.75 m, subtract 105 from height (cm) for calculation. If examined above the average person (from 1.75 m), then you need to use the following correction: height (cm) subtract 110.

Broca's formula and constitutional type

In addition to age and height, it is important to take into account the physique, that is, the “constitutional type”. There are three types of constitution - normosthenic, asthenic and hypersthenic addition.

If you are a normosthenic, then you are not a tall and not very short person; the ratio of the length of the limbs to the total length of the body is normal, the volumes of the chest, head, and so on are also average. For you, the indicator obtained as a result of calculating the Broca index is the ideal weight.

The asthenic is characterized by leanness, tall stature, narrow bones and pale skin. Asthenics should subtract 10% from the result obtained according to the formula.

If you are hypersthenic - stocky, broad-boned, with developed muscles - you need, on the contrary, to add 10% to the figure obtained.

It is important to note that the above formula is relatively suitable for people whose height is above 155 and below 185 centimeters .

Our weight depends on many factors: height, gender, body type and even age. Exists a large number of formulas for calculating your optimal weight. Today we will talk about the Brock index and how, using the Brock formula, you can calculate your ideal weight to strive for. To calculate your weight according to Brock, you need to know not only your height, but also your body type. Let's see what body types are.

Basic body types

There are three main types:

1. asthenic
2. normosthenic
3. hypersthenic

Asthenic body type
The woman looks thin, above average height, with a long thin neck, narrow shoulders and chest, with elongated limbs and a thin nose.

Normosthenic body type
The woman has an average height, a thin waist and slender legs. Her body is proportionate.

Hypersthenic body type
A woman of medium height with a wide bone, voluminous shoulders and slightly shortened limbs. There is an increased tendency to be overweight.

How to determine your body type

To determine body type of women Measure your wrist at the narrowest point.

• A wrist less than 14 cm indicates that you are an asthenic.
• A wrist from 14 to 18 cm indicates that you are normosthenic.
• A wrist of 18 and above indicates that you are hypersthenic.

Men will have different results:

• less than 17 cm - this is an asthenic type
• from 17 to 20 cm - normosthenic type
• more than 20 cm - hypersthenic type

You can also find out your body type from ratio of height and length of legs.
Determine the length of your leg. To do this, ask someone to help measure the distance from the most protruding point of the hip bone to the floor with a centimeter tape. Divide your height in half.

• With the asthenic type, the length of the leg is 2-4 cm more than half the height.
• With normosthenic type, the length of the leg is 4-6 cm more than half of the height
• With hypersthenic type, the length of the leg is 6-9 cm more than half of the height

How to calculate ideal weight using Broca's formula

First of all, we calculate the weight depending on the height:
If your height below 165 cm, then the weight formula is: Weight \u003d height in cm - 100.
If your height from 166 to 175 cm, then the weight formula is: Weight \u003d height in cm - 105.
If your height above 175 cm, then the weight formula is: Weight \u003d height in cm - 110.

Then we consider the weight adjusted for the physique.
If you are a normosthenic, then the weight does not change, if you are an asthenic, then we reduce the figure by 10%.
If hypersthenic, then increase the figure by 10%.

And finally, we consider weight adjusted for age.
If you are under 40 years old, then reduce the weight by 10-12%.
If more than 50 years, then increase the weight to 5-7%.

For example, let's calculate the weight using Brock's formula for a girl or woman with a height of 150 cm.

We have 3 girls of the same height 150 cm. Subtracting 100 according to Brock's formula, their weight should be 50 kg. But everyone's constitution is different.
Normostenic girl and will remain with 50 kg.
asthenic girl should have a weight of 50kg-10%=45kg.
Hypersthenic girl must have a weight of 50kg + 10% = 55 kg.

And adjusted for age, girls 20-30 years old can safely take another 5-6 kg. After 50 years already add 2-3 kg. According to Brock's formula, a 20-year-old girl with an asthenic body type should have a weight of 50kg - 5kg - 5kg
= 40 kg. And a woman with a hypersthenic type is 50 kg + 5 kg + 3 kg = 58 kg.

Calculate your ideal weight with .

Greetings, dear readers!

Earlier we learned about the concept of body mass index and how to calculate BMI.

There is also such an indicator as IW - ideal weight and many formulas for calculating ideal weight.

I want to talk about the most significant and frequently used, about those formulas that I used myself.
These are Broca's formula and Lorentz's formula. The opinions of scientists differ, as, indeed, always: which of the formulas gives the result closest to the truth. Therefore, the choice is yours - Brock's formula or Lorentz's formula.

But first, I want to draw your attention to one more concept - body type.

Body types and methods for determining your body type

Consider the body types of women. According to the classification of Professor V.M. Chernorutsky, there are three main body types of a woman

• asthenic
• normosthenic
• hypersthenic

Asthenic body type

Women of this type are characterized by:

1. general thinness
2. long and thin neck
3. narrow shoulders
4. flat and narrow chest
5. elongated thin limbs
6. long face and thin nose

Growth is often above average. The muscles of such women are poorly developed, so they lack strength and endurance. But energy, lightness and grace, low weight, minimal tendency to be overweight are the obvious advantages of representatives of the asthenic physique.

Normosthenic body type

Women of this constitution have proportional body sizes. Such representatives of the weaker sex often have:

1. slender legs
2. slim waist
3. beautiful harmonious figure

Growth is usually average. Such women naturally have good coordination, cutting and fast.

Hypersthenic body type

Women of this body type have:

1. heavy and wide bones
2. voluminous shoulders
3. wide and short chest
4. slightly shortened limbs (usually)

Growth is often below average. By nature, such ladies have strength and endurance, but, unfortunately, they are deprived of flexibility and grace, and the disadvantages include a low metabolic rate and an increased tendency to be overweight.

Methods for determining your body type

The easiest way to determine your body type: take a tailor's centimeter and measure your wrist at its narrowest point.

If your results are:

• less than 14 cm - you are an asthenic and have an asthenic physique
• from 14 to 18 cm - you are a normosthenic and have a normosthenic physique
• if the wrist is more than 18 cm - you are hypersthenic and have a hypersthenic physique

Another method will help you find out your body type. We determine it based on the ratio of height and leg length.

For normosthenic and hypersthenic body composition normal growth the range between 166 and 170 cm is considered, and for asthenic type- within 168 - 172 cm.

There are certain proportions between the height and length of a person's legs: legs are considered short if their length is less than half the height.

The length of the legs is measured from the tubercle of the femur, located opposite the hip joint, to the floor.

The ideal leg length should be within the following limits:

• asthenic type: legs are 2-4 cm longer than half the height
• normosthenic type: legs are 4-6 cm longer than half the height
• hypersthenic type: legs are 6-9 cm longer than half the height

Ideal weight formulas

The simplest and most common today is Brock's formula.

• for normosthetics and asthenics, the value obtained must be reduced by 10%
• for hypersthenics - increase by 10%

Brock's formula

Please note that if you are under 40 years old, then you can safely subtract 110, if you are more than - subtract 100.

Applying the formula to myself, I get the following result:

My IV = 165 - 100 = 65 kg

It is pleasant to strive for this figure, but there is no limit to perfection. Another formula that I used to calculate the ideal weight is the Lorentz formula

Extra pounds are not only an aesthetic defect, but also an indicator of health problems, so each person needs to be able to calculate their normal body weight. One of the most popular algorithms used by nutritionists is the Paul Brock formula, developed in 1871 and used in most online calculators.

How to calculate ideal weight using Broca's formula

This method of determining normal indicators weight is known to most as “height minus 100”, while the main parameter is taken in centimeters, but the formula itself is more accurate and requires taking into account the gender of the person:

• The weight norm for women in kilograms is “(height (cm) - 100) * 0.85”.
• The weight norm for men is calculated as "(height (cm) - 100) * 0.9".

Brock's formula is not universal - it does not fit too small (up to 155 cm) or tall (from 170 cm) people. It does not take into account indicators that affect the qualitative composition of the body: the weight of muscles, fluid, bone tissue. According to experts, it makes no sense to calculate the normal weight using Brock's formula:

• pregnant women (the weight of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid is added);
• lactating (breasts are heavier due to milk);
• bodybuilders (muscle is heavier than fat);
• adults over 50 and teenagers under 18.

Constitutional body type

In medicine, an important parameter for determining indicators of normal body weight is body type: a set of proportions and structural features of a person, the development of muscle, bone and adipose tissues.

According to the modern method of somatotyping, 3 types of constitution are distinguished:

• Asthenic - the muscles are weak, the limbs are thin and longer than the body. The result of the calculation according to the classical formula must be reduced by 10%, so the new algorithm for calculating the normal body weight for women is “((height - 100) * 0.85) * 0.9”, and for men “((height - 100) * 0 .9) * 0.9".
• Normosthenic - the dimensions are proportional, the musculoskeletal system develops harmoniously. Normostenics perform the calculation according to the classic Brock formula presented above.
• Hypersthenic - the limbs are short, the waist is wide, the chest is narrower. Muscle and fat mass are gaining well, the latter often becomes excessive. Adjusted for the structural features of the body, the result of the basic calculation increases by 10%, so the normal values ​​​​for a woman are considered according to the formula “((height - 100) * 0.85) * 1.1”, and for a man - “((height - 100 ) * 0.9) * 1.1".

You can determine your type by measuring the girth of the wrist in the narrowest part or by calculating the difference between the length of the legs (from the femoral tubercle to the heel) and half the height - all parameters are taken in centimeters. Values ​​for different types body additions are as follows:

• Asthenic - the wrist is less than 14 cm in women and 17 cm in men, the legs are 2-4 cm longer.
• Normostenik - the girth of the wrist is 14-18 cm for women, 17-20 cm for men, and the legs are 4-6 cm longer.
• Hypersthenic - all indicators are greater than those of a normosthenic: the girth of the wrist exceeds 20 cm in men and 18 cm in women, the legs are 6 cm or more longer.

Broca's index adjusted for age

Some nutritionists advise taking into account age when making calculations, since in people over 40 years of age, energy costs decrease, metabolism slows down, and body weight grows. In adolescents, the formation of the body is underway, the metabolism is fast, with a deficit of kilograms, according to the results of standard calculations, the physique itself is normal. Calculate correct weight according to Broca, taking into account age, it is possible, subtracting from height.