5' 2" 170 lbs Female BMI - Am I Overweight Or Obese For My Height?
*Medical Disclaimer: This content contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health related advice, always consult a licensed medical practitioner.
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What is my BMI? Is 170 lbs overweight or obese for my height?
Body mass index (BMI) is a tool that helps determine whether someone is at a healthy weight. It’s based on a person’s height and weight. A BMI of 24.9 or higher is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
A 5’ 2” female who weighs 170 lbs has a BMI of 31.1, which places them in the obese category.
They would need to lose at least 34 pounds to get to a healthy weight range.
It should be noted that standard interpretations of BMI do not make a distinction between adult males and females. According to the CDC, you’re considered obese if you have a BMI over 30 – regardless of your sex.
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BMI Chart
The table below shows different weight ranges and their corresponding BMI categories for a 5′ 2″ individual.
Weight | BMI | Category |
100 | 18.3 | Underweight |
110 | 20.1 | Normal |
120 | 21.9 | Normal |
130 | 23.8 | Normal |
140 | 25.6 | Overweight |
150 | 27.4 | Overweight |
160 | 29.3 | Overweight |
170 | 31.1 | Obese |
Limitations of BMI
According to medicalnewstoday.com, BMI has several limitations. One of the main limitations is that it does not distinguish between fat and muscle. This means that a person who has a lot of muscle could have a high BMI even though they are actually healthy.
Another limitation of BMI is that it does not account for differences in body type. For example, someone who is short and muscular may have the same BMI as someone who is tall and slender, even though they have very different bodies.
Finally, BMI does not take into account where on the body fat is stored. This is important because belly fat is more likely to lead to health problems than fat stored elsewhere in the body. Despite its limitations, BMI remains a useful tool for assessing someone’s risk of developing obesity-related health problems.
Measuring body fat percentage directly is a more accurate way to assess whether or not someone is overweight or obese.
There are several ways to do this, including skinfold measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). These methods are more precise than BMI, but they can also be more expensive and time-consuming.
You can buy a BIA device from a number of retail outlets. Most people can use bioelectrical impedance analysis devices safely. However, individuals with electronic medical implants, such as a heart pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) should avoid using them. Most device makers also recommend not using these products during pregnancy.
If you have any concerns, consult a doctor and they should be able to arrange alternative methods for calculating your body fat percentage.
What are some health risks associated with being obese?
Carrying extra weight can lead to a number of health problems, including:
– high blood pressure
– high cholesterol
– type 2 diabetes
– heart disease
– stroke
– sleep apnea
– certain types of cancer
If you are overweight or obese, it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to lose weight safely. There are a number of options available, including diet, exercise, and medication. Making even small changes can have a big impact on your health.
How much weight will I need to lose and how do I get there?
As mentioned earlier, you would need to lose 34 pounds to get into the healthy BMI range.
However, Since BMI has its limitations, you may need to lose less or more depending on your body composition. But 34 pounds can serve a useful goal that can be achieved in a few months.
How to lose 34 pounds safely and effectively
Most health professionals recommend aiming to lose about 1-2 pounds per week. This rate of weight loss is generally safe and achievable for most people. Losing weight at a faster pace than this may be possible for some people, but it is generally not recommended as it could lead to health problems.
Sticking to a healthy diet and exercise plan, and monitoring your progress, you can safely and effectively lose weight at a rate of 2 pounds per week. This rate of weight loss should get a 5’ 2” 170 pound individual to a healthy BMI range in around 17 weeks.
In order to lose weight, you will need to burn more calories than you consume — what’s known as a calorie deficit. You can do this by eating less, exercising or both.
First, you’ll need to know your calorie maintenance level, which is the number of calories you need to eat in a day to maintain your current weight. You can find this number by using a calorie calculator.
*The calculator below is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice. For an authoritative estimate of your calorie needs, please consult a licensed healthcare professional.
Next, we’ll outline a few simple steps you can take to get started shedding the pounds.
Diet
According to mayoclinic.com, you need a deficit of around 3,500 calories per week to lose 1 pound. So, if you’re looking to drop a pound each week through diet, you’ll need to eat around 500 calories per day less than your maintenance level. For example, if your calorie maintenance level is 2000 per day, you would need to stick to a diet of around 1500 calories per day to lose a pound in weight each week.
This can be tough, but it’s doable if you plan ahead. Start by taking a look at your current daily calorie intake and make adjustments as needed. You may also want to try following a pre-made meal plan to make things a bit easier.
Below is an example of a 1500 calorie per day meal plan.
The keto diet is another approach to eating for weight loss, and may be preferable to standard calorie counting. This diet involves eating high-fat, low-carb meals. This can help you lose weight by putting your body into a state of ketosis, which is when your body starts burning fat for energy instead of carbs.
And according to a number of studies, It is also a very satiating diet, meaning you’ll feel full on less calories.
Exercise
To lose one pound per week through exercise, you will need to burn around 500 calories per day. There are a lot of ways to do this.
If you want something quick and easy, simply walking will suffice. Walking for long enough will help you lose weight. The number of calories you can anticipate burning while walking varies greatly from person to person.
According to the exercise calculator at verywellfit.com, if you walk briskly for an hour (which is about the same as walking at a fast pace), you can expect to burn over 300 calories.
But you can also easily burn more than 500 calories by simply moving more during the day.
NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) is the energy you burn through everyday activities such as standing, walking to the restroom, or even fidgeting. This can be a great way to help create a calorie deficit without having to hit the gym.
Combining a dedicated exercise routine, such as walking, with simply being more active during the day could easily get you over the 500 calorie mark.
Conclusion
If you’re 5’2″ and weigh 170 pounds, you’re classified as obese according to BMI – but don’t worry, you’re not alone. However, it’s important to take steps to lose that weight and improve your health, because being overweight can lead to some serious problems.
Most health professionals agree that losing about 2 pounds per week is a safe and realistic goal for most people. If you want to start shedding pounds, eating less and starting a daily exercise routine as simple as brisk walking can help move you towards your goal.
You should always speak to a doctor if you have any concerns. And remember, it’s never too late to make healthy changes in your life!
References
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/health-effects/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/losing-weight-too-fast
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323309
https://www.verywellfit.com/bioelectrical-impedance-analysis-bia-3495551
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/calories/art-20048065
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25402637/
https://www.verywellfit.com/how-many-calories-you-burn-during-exercise-4111064
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12468415/