Ideal Weight for 5 Foot 5.5 Inches Height
For someone who is 5 feet 5.5 inches (165.7 cm) tall, the ideal body weight is approximately 56.3 to 76.6 kg (124 to 169 pounds), corresponding to a BMI between 18.5-24.99 kg/m². 1
Calculating Ideal Body Weight
Using the modified Devine's formula provides a more precise target:
For Women:
- Ideal body weight = 48.67 kg + 1.65 kg/inch of height > 5 feet 1
- For 5'5.5" (5.5 inches above 5 feet): 48.67 + (1.65 × 5.5) = 57.7 kg (127 pounds)
For Men:
- Ideal body weight = 51.65 kg + 1.85 kg/inch of height > 5 feet 1
- For 5'5.5" (5.5 inches above 5 feet): 51.65 + (1.85 × 5.5) = 61.8 kg (136 pounds)
BMI-Based Weight Categories
At 165.7 cm height, the weight ranges correspond to:
- Underweight: < 50.7 kg (< 112 pounds) - BMI < 18.5 1
- Normal weight: 50.7-68.5 kg (112-151 pounds) - BMI 18.5-24.99 1
- Overweight: 68.6-82.3 kg (151-181 pounds) - BMI 25-29.99 1
- Obesity: > 82.3 kg (> 181 pounds) - BMI ≥ 30 1
Important Clinical Considerations
The "ideal" weight should prioritize health outcomes rather than arbitrary numbers. The normal BMI range (18.5-24.99 kg/m²) is associated with the lowest cardiovascular and overall mortality risk. 1
Additional Risk Assessment:
- Waist circumference matters independently of BMI - women with waist circumference > 88 cm (35 inches) have increased cardiovascular risk regardless of weight 1
- Body composition varies by ethnicity - Asian populations may have increased cardiometabolic risk at lower BMI thresholds (> 27.5 kg/m²) 1
Factors That Modify Ideal Weight:
- Age influences weight distribution - older adults may have different optimal weights within the normal BMI range 1
- Muscle mass affects interpretation - athletes or highly muscular individuals may have higher weights while maintaining health 1
- Frame size and bone density contribute to individual variation in ideal weight 1
Practical Application
Target the middle of the normal BMI range (BMI 21-22) for optimal health outcomes, which translates to approximately 57-60 kg (126-132 pounds) for this height. 1 This provides a buffer against both underweight and overweight-related health risks while accounting for normal weight fluctuations.