BMI around menopause
Falling oestrogen during perimenopause and menopause tends to shift fat from the hips to the waist, and muscle declines with age. Many women find their weight rises by a few kilograms even with the same habits, and that waist size grows even when BMI barely moves. Strength training and protein help preserve muscle, and measuring your waist alongside BMI shows changes that BMI alone hides.
Healthy weight in stones and pounds
For readers who weigh themselves in stones — the healthy BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9 at common heights:
| Height | Healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) | BMI 30 (obesity) from |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in | 6 st 5 lb – 8 st 7 lb | 10 st 4 lb |
| 5 ft 0 in | 6 st 11 lb – 9 st 1 lb | 11 st 0 lb |
| 5 ft 2 in | 7 st 3 lb – 9 st 10 lb | 11 st 10 lb |
| 5 ft 4 in | 7 st 10 lb – 10 st 5 lb | 12 st 7 lb |
| 5 ft 6 in | 8 st 3 lb – 11 st 0 lb | 13 st 4 lb |
| 5 ft 8 in | 8 st 10 lb – 11 st 10 lb | 14 st 1 lb |
| 5 ft 10 in | 9 st 3 lb – 12 st 6 lb | 14 st 13 lb |
| 6 ft 0 in | 9 st 10 lb – 13 st 2 lb | 15 st 11 lb |
| 6 ft 2 in | 10 st 4 lb – 13 st 12 lb | 16 st 10 lb |
| 6 ft 4 in | 10 st 12 lb – 14 st 9 lb | 17 st 8 lb |
How to measure for an accurate BMI
- Height: stand barefoot with heels, back and head against a wall; rest a flat object on your head and mark the wall.
- Weight: weigh first thing in the morning, after using the toilet, in light clothing, on a hard floor.
- Consistency: use the same scale at the same time of day when you recheck — daily weight can move by 1–2 kg with food and fluid.