Dieting For Dummies
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Ever wonder what your ideal weight would be? You can quickly estimate your healthy weight range, with these simple formulas. They take your height and gender into account.

Men 106 pounds for 5 feet, plus 6 pounds per inch over 5 feet or minus 6 pounds per inch under 5 feet; plus and minus 10 percent.
Women 100 pounds for 5 feet, plus 5 pounds per inch over 5 feet or minus 5 pounds per inch under 5 feet; plus and minus 10 percent.

For example, a six-foot man would calculate his healthy weight range like this:

106 + (6 x 12) = 178
178 +/- 10% = 160 to 196 pounds

A woman who measures 5 feet and 5 inches, would calculate her healthy weight range like this:

100 plus (5 x 5) = 125
125 +/- 10% = 113 to 137 pounds

You’ll be at the higher end of the range if you’re large-framed or carry more muscle, and at the lower end of the range if you’re small-framed with less muscle.

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Jane Kirby, RD is a registered dietitian and member of the American Dietetic Association. She is the food and nutrition editor of Real Simple magazine and owner of The Vermont Cooking School, IncTM in Charlotte, Vermont. Jane is the former editor of Eating Well magazine and the food and nuitrition editor for Glamour. She served on the dietetics staff of the Massachusettes General Hospital in Boston, where she  completed graduate work in nutrition. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Marymount College.

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest group of nutrition and health professionals. As an advocate of the profession, the ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health, and well-being.

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