The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) height-weight “body weight scale” — historically a set of tables showing desirable or ideal weight ranges by height, sex, and body-frame size (small/medium/large) based on insurance actuarial data. These were widely used throughout much of the 20th century and often appear in older health-guidance materials. The following is the classic Metropolitan Life height-weight tables:
Metropolitan Life Height-Weight Table (Adults 25–59)
Women (Weight in Pounds by Height and Frame Size)
| Height | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ | 102-111 | 109-121 | 118-131 |
| 4′11″ | 103-113 | 111-123 | 120-134 |
| 5′0″ | 104-115 | 113-126 | 122-137 |
| 5′1″ | 106-118 | 115-129 | 125-140 |
| 5′2″ | 108-121 | 118-132 | 128-143 |
| 5′3″ | 111-124 | 121-135 | 131-147 |
| 5′4″ | 114-127 | 124-138 | 134-151 |
| 5′5″ | 117-130 | 127-141 | 137-155 |
| 5′6″ | 120-133 | 130-144 | 140-159 |
| 5′7″ | 123-136 | 133-147 | 143-163 |
| 5′8″ | 126-139 | 136-150 | 146-167 |
| 5′9″ | 129-142 | 139-153 | 149-170 |
| 5′10″ | 132-145 | 142-156 | 152-173 |
| 5′11″ | 135-148 | 145-159 | 155-176 |
| 6′0″ | 138-151 | 148-162 | 158-179 |
| (Table continues similarly for taller heights) |
Men (Weight in Pounds by Height and Frame Size)
| Height | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5′2″ | 128-134 | 131-141 | 138-150 |
| 5′3″ | 130-136 | 133-143 | 140-153 |
| 5′4″ | 132-138 | 135-145 | 142-156 |
| 5′5″ | 134-140 | 137-148 | 144-160 |
| 5′6″ | 136-142 | 139-151 | 146-164 |
| 5′7″ | 138-145 | 142-154 | 149-168 |
| 5′8″ | 140-148 | 145-157 | 152-172 |
| 5′9″ | 142-151 | 148-160 | 155-176 |
| 5′10″ | 144-154 | 151-163 | 158-180 |
| 5′11″ | 146-157 | 154-166 | 161-184 |
(And so on for taller heights.) (IT RX)
Notes on These Tables
-
These tables were originally based on insurance mortality data, not modern health research, and were commonly referred to as “ideal” (or later “desirable”) weight tables. (Assessment Psychology)
-
They divide adults by body-frame size (small, medium, large), which was historically assessed using measures like elbow breadth. (IT RX)
-
Modern health science generally prefers BMI and body composition measures, and these tables are considered outdated as standalone guidance today. (Eating Wisdom)
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