A woman who is 1.62m tall steps on her scale one Monday morning, reads a number, and then opens three different websites that give her three different “ideal weights.” No surprise: the medical formulas published between the 1960s and 1980s (Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, Miller) were each designed for specific clinical uses, such as medication dosing or ventilation settings in intensive care. Understanding where these numbers come from radically changes the way they are interpreted.
Why Ideal Weight Formulas Give Contradictory Results for 1.62m
The Devine formula, still used in anesthesia to calculate mechanical ventilation volumes, gives a different result than the Lorentz or Creff formulas. For the same height of 1.62m, the difference between the lowest and highest values can reach several kilos depending on the method used.
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This discrepancy is explained by the populations on which these formulas were calibrated. They date back to a time when average morphology, diet, and levels of physical activity were very different. Applying them today without perspective is akin to using a medical dosing tool as a silhouette goal.
You can consult the details regarding the ideal weight for a woman who is 1.62m to see how these different formulas compare. The conclusion remains the same: no single formula defines a universal ideal weight.
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BMI and Body Composition: What the Calculation Alone Doesn’t Tell
The body mass index divides weight by height squared. For a woman who is 1.62m tall, the so-called “normal” range according to the WHO (between 18.5 and 24.9) covers a considerable weight gap. Two women of the same height can have the same BMI with radically opposing physical profiles.
A woman who practices weightlifting or a strength sport will have denser muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat at equal volume. Her BMI may indicate “overweight” even though her body fat percentage is low and her blood tests are excellent.
The Concrete Limits of BMI for a Woman Who is 1.62m
BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass, does not take into account fat distribution (abdominal or peripheral), and ignores age, bone morphology, and hormonal cycles. For a woman, these factors are just as important as the raw number on the scale.
This is why some health professionals now prefer to talk about functional weight range rather than ideal weight. This range corresponds to the weight at which one has energy, where blood tests are correct, and where exercise tolerance is good, without aiming for a precise number.
Complementary Measures to Assess Body Composition at 1.62m
Rather than relying on a single value, one gains relevance by cross-referencing several indicators. Here are the most commonly used in clinical practice:
- Waist circumference: measured halfway between the last rib and the iliac crest, it provides information about abdominal fat, which is most correlated with cardiovascular risks. A high waist circumference with a normal BMI signals a risk that the calculation alone would have missed.
- Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): it further refines the assessment by distinguishing between android (abdominal) and gynoid (hips, thighs) distributions. For women, this ratio provides a more nuanced reading than weight alone.
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis: available from some doctors, pharmacists, or gyms, it estimates the percentage of body fat, muscle mass, and body water. Results vary depending on the device and current hydration, but trends over several measurements remain informative.
None of these measures is perfect in isolation. Their value lies in the combination: a BMI within the normal range, a reasonable waist circumference, and a good energy level paint a much more reliable picture than a single number on a scale.
Ideal Weight After 40 or 60: What Changes for a Woman Who is 1.62m
Setpoint weight is not fixed. It evolves with age, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle changes. After menopause, the decrease in estrogen promotes fat storage in the abdominal area rather than on the hips. The weight on the scale may remain stable while body composition changes profoundly.
Maintaining muscle mass then becomes the priority, more than aiming for a precise weight number. Sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) reduces the basal metabolism, making weight maintenance more difficult and increasing fatigue. A modest strength training program has a greater impact on overall health than a restrictive diet aimed at a theoretical “ideal” weight.
When to Consult a Health Professional
If weight fluctuates dramatically (up or down) without changes in habits, medical advice is necessary. Similarly, when chronic fatigue, joint pain, or sleep disturbances accompany weight gain, the issue goes far beyond the number on the scale.
A doctor or dietitian can conduct a comprehensive assessment (blood tests, body composition evaluation, dietary habits analysis) and propose a personalized goal. A realistic target weight takes into account weight history, activity level, and health constraints, not just height.
For a woman who is 1.62m tall, the weight range compatible with good health is broad. Seeking the perfect number on an online formula is like asking a medical dosing tool to play the role of a coach. The most reliable reference remains a combination of objective measures (waist circumference, blood tests, exercise capacity) and a simple feeling: feeling good in daily movements.