For a woman measuring 1.62m, the weight range considered healthy according to the body mass index is between 48.6 kg and 65.6 kg. This gap of nearly 17 kg shows how the notion of ideal weight encompasses very different realities depending on morphology, age, and body composition. What indicators truly allow one to assess their weight in relation to their health, and how valid are the most commonly used formulas?
Comparison of Ideal Weight Calculation Formulas for 1.62m
Several formulas coexist, each producing a distinct result for the same height. The table below gathers the main references available for a woman of 1.62m.
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| Formula or Indicator | Result for 1.62m | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| BMI 18.5 (lower threshold) | 48.6 kg | Lower limit of healthy weight |
| Lorentz | 54.5 kg | Theoretical ideal weight (gender + height) |
| Creff (normal morphology) | 54 to 58 kg | Weight adjusted for body type |
| BMI 25 (upper threshold) | 65.6 kg | Upper limit of healthy weight |
The Lorentz formula gives a single figure, often perceived as “the” ideal weight. The Creff formula refines the result by taking into account the type of morphology (slim, normal, large). The BMI thresholds delineate a range rather than a fixed point.
The difference between these results is not a calculation flaw. It reflects the fact that no formula takes into account muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. To delve deeper into the question of what is the ideal weight for a woman of 1.62m, these nuances are crucial.
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Actual Average Weight and Calculated Ideal Weight: A Revealing Gap
In France, the average woman measures about 1.62m with an average weight around 65 kg and a clothing size of 40. This figure is at the upper limit of the healthy BMI range and significantly exceeds the 54.5 kg from the Lorentz formula.
This gap between statistical reality and the theoretical “ideal weight” is rarely highlighted. It means that a majority of women of this height are above the results of the classic formulas, without necessarily being overweight in the medical sense.
What This Gap Changes in Interpretation
Aiming for 54 kg when the population average is 65 kg raises the question of the relevance of the goal. A woman of 1.62m weighing 62 kg with regular physical activity and a waist circumference within the norm does not have the same risk profile as a woman of the same weight with marked abdominal fat.
The number on the scale is not enough to assess health risk. Recent recommendations emphasize the diversity of possible healthy weights for the same height, depending on waist circumference, muscle mass, and medical history.
Waist Circumference and BMI: Two Complementary Indicators for 1.62m
BMI remains the most commonly used screening tool. For a woman of 1.62m, it is simply a matter of dividing weight (in kg) by height squared (in meters). A BMI between 18.5 and 25 corresponds to the so-called “normal” range.
However, a normal BMI does not guarantee the absence of metabolic risk. This is where waist circumference as an independent indicator of cardiovascular risk becomes invaluable. According to Index Santé, a high waist circumference increases the risk of metabolic diseases even with a BMI considered normal.
When Waist Circumference Matters More Than Weight
Abdominal (visceral) fat is most associated with health complications: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders. Two women of 1.62m weighing the same can have opposite risk profiles depending on the location of their fat mass.
- A BMI between 18.5 and 25 places weight within the healthy range, but does not inform about fat distribution
- Waist circumference specifically measures abdominal fat, which is more correlated with cardiovascular risks than total weight
- Muscle mass can skew BMI upwards without indicating an excess of fat
Combining BMI and waist circumference provides a more reliable reading than either one taken in isolation.
Limitations of Ideal Weight Formulas According to Age and Morphology
Classic formulas (Lorentz, Creff, Devine) were designed based on specific populations, often without fine distinctions of age or type of physical activity. For a woman of 1.62m, the result will be the same at 25 years old as at 55 years old, which does not reflect natural physiological changes.
With age, body composition changes: muscle mass decreases while fat mass tends to increase, even at stable weight. A woman of 1.62m weighing 58 kg at 30 years old and 58 kg at 55 years old does not necessarily have the same proportion of muscle and fat.
What the Formulas Do Not Capture
- Bone structure: a woman with a larger bone structure will naturally have a higher baseline weight, without excess fat
- Physical activity: regular sports practice increases muscle mass, which is denser than fat
- Medical history: pregnancies, hormonal treatments, or thyroid disorders permanently alter metabolism
- Perception of well-being: feedback shows that the relationship to the body and the energy felt matter as much as a number
The Creff formula attempts to partially correct this bias by proposing three morphological categories (slim, normal, large), but it remains an approximation.
For a woman of 1.62m, the most useful data is not a single target weight derived from a formula. It is the combination of a BMI within the healthy range, a monitored waist circumference, and attention to actual body composition. Formulas provide a guideline, not a verdict.