The question of whether 150 pounds is a good weight for a height of 5 feet, 7 inches, is common, but quantifying health requires more than a single number. While weight is a simple measurement, determining if it is appropriate requires a nuanced approach. A general assessment must begin with a standard, objective calculation that relates mass to height. This provides a baseline for understanding where a person stands in a population context before evaluating body composition and overall well-being.
Calculating the Standard Measurement (BMI)
The most widely used tool for this initial assessment is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which uses a formula combining weight and height. For an adult who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall (67 inches) and weighs 150 pounds, the resulting BMI is approximately 23.5. This numerical outcome is then sorted into standardized categories to provide a general health reference.
Standard weight classifications define a healthy weight range as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Since a BMI of 23.5 falls within this range, 150 pounds for someone at 5’7″ is categorized as a “Healthy Weight” according to public health guidelines. A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30.0 or higher indicates obesity.
Why the Number Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
While the BMI provides a quick screening tool, it does not account for what the weight is composed of, which is a major limitation. The index treats all body mass the same, failing to distinguish between tissues like bone, muscle, or fat. Body composition is therefore a more accurate health indicator than the scale alone.
Muscle tissue is significantly denser than fat tissue, meaning a pound of muscle occupies a smaller volume than a pound of fat. A person who engages in regular resistance training and has high lean muscle mass may weigh 150 pounds and be extremely lean. However, their BMI could still be near the higher end of the normal range or even tip into the “overweight” category.
Conversely, an individual with low muscle mass and a high percentage of body fat could register a normal BMI of 23.5, yet still carry an unhealthy amount of fat. This high body fat percentage, often called “skinny fat,” is associated with increased health risks despite the healthy weight on the scale. The size of a person’s bone structure, or frame size, also contributes to total weight without increasing fat mass. A person with a naturally large frame will weigh more than someone of the same height with a small frame, even if their body fat percentages are identical.
Contextualizing Weight and Seeking Professional Insight
Moving beyond the scale and BMI requires looking at other physical measurements and overall health markers. A simple alternative measurement is waist circumference, which provides a better estimate of abdominal fat, known as visceral fat, that surrounds internal organs. Excess visceral fat is strongly linked to a higher risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, even in people with a normal BMI.
For most adults, a healthy waist circumference is less than 40 inches for men and less than 35 inches for non-pregnant women. If an individual who is 5’7″ and 150 pounds has a waist measurement outside of these limits, it suggests an elevated health risk regardless of the BMI calculation. This easily measurable metric adds context to the assessment of a seemingly healthy weight.
The most comprehensive assessment of health extends beyond any single measurement and includes evaluating lifestyle factors. Indicators like consistent energy levels, quality of sleep, physical fitness, and dietary habits are often more reflective of true well-being than a number on the scale. For a personalized and accurate health assessment, especially if there are underlying health concerns, consulting a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian is the recommended step. They can use advanced methods like body composition scans to determine the precise ratio of fat to muscle, integrating those findings with blood work and medical history.