Get Healthwise with Danny: How to Calculate a Healthy Body Weight

DannyKnowsGraphic2Danny Gonzalez, RN for St. Mary Medical Center and Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Portage Township YMCA is here to answer all of your health-related questions. It's hard to know where to start when taking steps to better your health these days. Asking the questions are easy, but find the answers...that's another story. Lucky for us, Danny makes it easy with his clear and concise (and humorous) answers to our tough health questions. Get ready to get some knowledge dropped on you!

This week's question: How do I calculate a healthy body weight?

Danny G.: There isn't a one-size-fit-all formula to calculate a healthy weight. Instead, try to get to a healthy body fat level, which for men is between 15-25% and for women is 20-30%.St-Mary-Logo

If you don't know how to have your body fat measured, speak to a fitness professional like one of our Portage YMCA Wellness Coaches. They will help guide you to having your body fat measured. But don't just use the scale; your muscle mass, bone density, water weight, organ size, and MANY other variables all factor in to your body weight. A healthy body is more than just a number!

For individuals working under a physician's supervision, St. Mary Medical Center's Valparaiso Health Center offers a Whole Body Composition Scan which measures a patient's composition of lean tissues mass, fat tissue distribution and type of excess fat. This fast, simple, non-invasive scan can offer valuable insight into a patient's risk for disease.

Do you have a question for Danny? Send your questions to share@ideasinmotionmedia.com with the subject title: Attention Danny G. You can also contact Danny at the Portage Township YMCA by calling 219-762-9622.

*Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.