For someone 4 feet 8 inches tall (142.2 cm), a healthy weight is 37.4 to 50.4 kg by the WHO BMI range, or up to 46.3 kg by the Asian range used in India. Ideal body weight averages 43 kg for a man and 41 kg for a woman.
| Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | BMI | WHO category | Asian category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.4 kg | 71 lb | 16 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 34.4 kg | 76 lb | 17 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 37.4 kg | 83 lb | 18.5 | Healthy | Healthy |
| 40.5 kg | 89 lb | 20 | Healthy | Healthy |
| 42.5 kg | 94 lb | 21 | Healthy | Healthy |
| 44.5 kg | 98 lb | 22 | Healthy | Healthy |
| 46.5 kg | 103 lb | 23 | Healthy | Overweight |
| 48.6 kg | 107 lb | 24 | Healthy | Overweight |
| 50.6 kg | 112 lb | 25 | Overweight | Obese |
| 52.6 kg | 116 lb | 26 | Overweight | Obese |
| 55.6 kg | 123 lb | 27.5 | Overweight | Obese |
| 60.7 kg | 134 lb | 30 | Obese | Obese |
| 65.8 kg | 145 lb | 32.5 | Obese | Obese |
| 70.8 kg | 156 lb | 35 | Obese | Obese |
| 80.9 kg | 178 lb | 40 | Obese | Obese |
At 4 feet 8 inches, overweight starts at 50.6 kg (WHO) or 46.5 kg (Asian cut-off), and obesity at 60.7 kg (WHO) or 50.6 kg (Asian).
| Formula | Man | Woman |
|---|---|---|
| Devine (1974) | 40.8 kg (90 lb) | 36.3 kg (80 lb) |
| Robinson (1983) | 44.4 kg (98 lb) | 42.2 kg (93 lb) |
| Miller (1983) | 50.6 kg (111 lb) | 47.7 kg (105 lb) |
| Hamwi (1964) | 37.2 kg (82 lb) | 36.7 kg (81 lb) |
| Average of the four | 43.2 kg (95 lb) | 40.7 kg (90 lb) |
Ideal body weight (IBW) formulas were designed for medicine doses, not as a target, and they ignore frame size and muscle. Use them alongside the healthy BMI range. Below 5 feet the formulas subtract weight for each inch under 5 feet and are less reliable.
Keep your waist under half your height: under 71 cm (28 inches) at 4'8". Waist-to-height ratio predicts heart and diabetes risk better than BMI alone, especially for South Asian adults.
| Waist-to-height | Waist at 4'8" | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Under 0.4 | under 57 cm | May be too slim |
| 0.4 – 0.49 | 57–70 cm | Healthy |
| 0.5 – 0.59 | 71–84 cm | Increased risk |
| 0.6 or more | 85 cm or more | High risk |
A healthy weight for a woman 4 feet 8 inches tall is 37–50 kg (BMI 18.5–24.9), or 37–46 kg for Asian women. Ideal body weight formulas give 36–48 kg.
A healthy weight for a man 4 feet 8 inches tall is 37–50 kg (BMI 18.5–24.9), or 37–46 kg for Asian men. Ideal body weight formulas give 37–51 kg.
At 142 cm, aim for 37–50 kg. Above 51 kg is overweight by WHO standards (47 kg by Asian standards).
4 feet 8 inches is 142.2 cm (56 inches × 2.54).