For a 5'2" (157 cm) female, a healthy weight range typically falls between 45 kg and 60 kg (about 100-132 lbs), with ranges varying slightly by chart; this is a general guideline, and factors like muscle mass, body frame, and age influence what's truly healthy, so consulting a doctor for personalized advice is best.
70kg isn't inherently heavy for a woman; it depends heavily on height, body composition, and build, but it often falls into a healthy range for taller women, while for shorter women, it could lean towards overweight. For example, a 175cm (5'9") woman at 70kg has a healthy BMI, but a 163cm (5'4") woman at the same weight might be considered borderline overweight, according to this article from The Daily Telegraph.
Your healthy weight range in Australia is generally a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9, calculated from your height and weight, indicating a normal weight, but it's a guide, with ranges like 18.5-24.9 considered healthy, 25-29.9 overweight, and 30+ obese, with waist circumference also important for assessing risk, say NSW Health, Medibank, and Healthdirect, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Better Health Channel, and Cancer Australia.
A BMI of 29.1 for a 5'2" 160 lbs female indicates overweight status and an elevated risk for some health issues. However, the significance of BMI should be viewed within the context of overall health, body composition, lifestyle factors, and other individual circumstances.
Sleep deprivation has long been linked to an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. Researchers found that getting less than seven hours of sleep resulted in weight changes and may lead to weight gain, either by increasing food intake or decreasing energy burned.
How to get your BMI down
In Australia, a size 12 is generally considered a "straight" or "missy" size, falling within average ranges, but due to vanity sizing and inconsistent measurements across brands, it can represent different body sizes; health-wise, a larger waist (over 88cm for women) is a risk factor, and the actual average Australian woman is now closer to a size 16-18, meaning a size 12 is smaller than average, though "fat" is a subjective term related to body image and health metrics like BMI, not just a single number.
It is considered underweight, but not terribly underweight. The BMI for this height and weight is 18.3 and anything under 18.5 is underweight and might threaten health. A normal, healthy weight for your height would be between 111 and 150 pounds … so I would not be too worried about your current weight.
The answer is yes — but not as drastically as you may think. Metabolism drives the body's basic functions, including converting food into energy to be used immediately or stored for later use. Research shows that metabolism starts to slow down after age 60,2 which may lead to body composition changes or weight gain.
Your most consistent and "true" weight is generally in the morning, after using the restroom and before eating or drinking anything, because your body has had time to digest overnight, leading to less fluctuation from food, liquids, and daily activities. Weighing at the same time, with minimal clothing, and under consistent conditions helps track trends more accurately than weighing at night when weight is higher due to meals and hydration.
For a 5'2" female, a healthy BMI range typically falls between 18.5 and 24.9. However, this range serves as a general guideline and should be considered alongside other vital indicators of well-being.
For adults ages 20 years and older, BMI incorporates weight and height, but it does not take age or sex into account. A woman tends to have more body fat than a man with the same BMI. Likewise, an older person tends to have more body fat than a younger person with an equal BMI.
Changes in total body weight vary for men and women. Men often gain weight until about age 55, and then begin to lose weight later in life. This may be related to a drop in the male sex hormone testosterone. Women usually gain weight until age 65, and then begin to lose weight.
Body mass index (BMI)
A BMI calculation provides a single number, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes as follows: A BMI of less than 18.5 suggests underweight. A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 suggests a healthy weight range. A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 may indicate overweight.
New research from body-positive fashion app Mys Tyler shows that the average Australian woman wears size 16. The data was pooled from over 32,000 Mys Tyler users, which has been weighted to be representative of Australian women aged 18 to 75 as well as verified by global research firm Insights Exchange.
The country with the highest adult obesity rate is typically one of the Pacific Island nations, with Nauru often cited as number one, followed closely by American Samoa, Tokelau, and the Cook Islands, with rates exceeding 69% of the adult population. These island nations in Oceania consistently rank highest due to complex factors like diet changes and genetic predispositions.
The decrease in body weight, BMI, sum of skinfold thickness, and appetite score of overweight participants at the end of study period establishes the role of drinking excessive water in weight reduction, body fat reduction, and appetite suppression of participants.
Kelly Clarkson lost weight by combining a high-protein diet, regular walking, and prescription medication that supported her metabolism. She also adopted a lectin-free diet to reduce inflammation.