There are several method used world wide to establish a correct weight, over weight and obesity. Such method include:
* Height weight range
* Brocas Index
* Body mass Index
* Body fat measurement
Each of these methods are indicative and are to be used seperately and individually since they differ marginally from each other in conclusion .Therefore, to come to an assesment ,use any one method .
Height Weight Range
a)Normal weight and height of Indian children(6 – 18years )
| Age (years) | ?Male Wt.(Kgs.) | Female Wt. (Kgs.) | Male Ht.(cm.) | Female Ht.(cm.) |
| 6 | 22.1 | 21.4 | 118.9 | 117.3 |
| 7 | 24.5 | 24.8 | 123.3 | 122.7 |
| 8 | 26.4 | 26.1 | 127.9 | 126.8 |
| 9 | 30.0 | 29.7 | 133.6 | 132.3 |
| 10 | 32.4 | 33.5 | 138.5 | 138.5 |
| 11 | 35.3 | 36.5 | 143.4 | 144.4 |
| 12 | 38.8 | 42.6 | 148.9 | 150.3 |
| 13 | 42.9 | 44.4 | 154.9 | 153.0 |
| 14 | 48.3 | 46.7 | 161.7 | 155.1 |
| 15 | 52.2 | 48.2 | 165.3 | 155.3 |
| 16 | 55.4 | 49.8 | 168.4 | 155.4 |
| 17 | 59.0 | 49.9 | 168.9 | 156.4 |
| 18 | 62.0 | 50.0 | 169.4 | 157.2 |
* For each weight a range of 2 kgs may be provided in addition to the above to account for body structures difference .
*In European children a further 2 kgs is allowed due to larger structure.
(b) Height Weight chart of Indian Adults-
| Ht.(cm.) | Ht.(in.) | Male Min. Wt. (Kgs.) | Male Max.Wt. (Kgs.) | Female Min.Wt. (Kgs.) | Female Min. Wt. (Kgs.) |
| 152 | 5’0″ | 55 | 65 | 45 | 55 |
| 155 | 5’1″ | 56 | 66 | 46 | 56 |
| 157 | 5’2″ | 57 | 67 | 47 | 57 |
| 160 | 5’3″ | 58 | 68 | 48 | 58 |
| 162 | 5’4″ | 59 | 69 | 49 | 59 |
| 165 | 5’5″ | 60 | 70 | 50 | 60 |
| 167 | 5’6″ | 61 | 71 | 51 | 61 |
| 170 | 5’7″ | 62 | 72 | 52 | 62 |
| 172 | 5’8″ | 63 | 73 | 53 | 63 |
| 175 | 5’9″ | 64 | 74 | 54 | 64 |
| 177 | 5’10” | 65 | 75 | 55 | 65 |
| 180 | 5’11” | 66 | 76 | 56 | 66 |
* European adults are allowed 5 kgs additional due to larger structures .
% Body weight in excess Degree of Obesity
10% above standard weight Over weight
20% above standard weight Obese
50% above standard weight Severly obese
100% above standard weight Grossly obese
Brocas Index
The formula for brocas index is, height in centimeters minimum 100 is equal to ideal weight in kgs. For example ,if an individuals height is 163 cms or (1.63 mtrs), then minimum 100 from the height and in the case the weight is in excess of 63 cms , the person is considered overweight. This method is extensively used as a rough measurment of being overweight .Thereafter 20% above ideal weight is considered obese.
Body Mass Index
In this method the weight in kgs is divided by the height in meters x 2 that is weight in kgs .
For example if a individual is 95 kgs in weight and has height of 1.8 0 meters,the calculation is -95 kgs / 1.80 x 2 (3.60 meters ) = 26.38
Grading of BMI is as follows
Not obese <25 and below
Grade 1 obesity 25 -29.9
Grade 2 obesity 30 -40
Grade 3 obesity 40 > and above
Skin Fold Pinch Test
Various skin fold calipers have been devised as the harpenders calipers, the large calipers and also the MRNL calipers to measures total body subcutaneous (under the skin ) fat.The skin fold is measured at the triceps (back of the arm )the total of the four measurement in millimeter (MM) and the evaluation in read as percentage of the body fat as against the body table .
Total skin fold measurement in mm % of total body fat
15 – 45 mm 8-22%
46 -75 mm 23-30 %
76- 150 mm 31-40%
151 -170 mm 41 -45 %
Upto 22% body fat is normal and acceptable for males ,upto 30 % is acceptable for females .Grade 1 obesity is evaluated upto 40% fat and grade 2 upto 45 % fat .