Healthy Weight for a 6-Foot Tall, 51-Year-Old African American Male
For a 6-foot tall (183 cm), 51-year-old African American man, the healthy weight range is 137-172 pounds (62-78 kg), corresponding to a BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m². 1, 2
Standard BMI-Based Weight Recommendations
The American Heart Association defines a healthy body weight as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², with overweight classified as BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² and obesity as BMI ≥30.0 kg/m². 1, 2
For a height of 6 feet (72 inches/183 cm), this translates to:
Race-Specific Considerations
African American men typically have higher lean tissue mass and bone mineral content compared to white men of the same height and weight, which may result in slightly higher healthy weights within the BMI range. 3, 4
Research demonstrates that black men have approximately 15% higher whole body bone mineral content and 8% higher bone mineral density than white men, suggesting that body composition differs significantly by race even at similar BMI values. 4
Despite these compositional differences, the standard BMI range of 18.5-24.9 kg/m² remains the recommended target for African American men to minimize cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer risk. 1, 2
Age-Specific Weight Data
According to National Kidney Foundation reference data for men aged 50-59 years at 72 inches (6 feet) tall, the 50th percentile weight is approximately 81 kg (178 pounds), though this falls into the overweight category (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²). 1
The 15th percentile weight for this age and height is approximately 69 kg (152 pounds), which falls within the healthy BMI range. 1
Health Implications of Weight Status
Maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and overall mortality. 1, 2
Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) independently increases risk for coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, and adversely affects blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels. 1
Practical Weight Management Approach
Balance caloric intake with physical activity to achieve or maintain weight within the 137-172 pound range. 1, 2
A reduction of 50-100 calories per day can prevent gradual weight gain, while a reduction of 500+ calories per day is appropriate for active weight loss. 2
Focus on consuming vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, fish twice weekly, and limiting saturated fat to <7% of energy, trans fat to <1% of energy, and cholesterol to <300 mg/day. 1
Important Caveats
BMI does not distinguish between lean mass and fat mass, which is particularly relevant for African American men who tend to have higher muscle and bone mass. 2, 4
Waist circumference should be measured alongside BMI for complete risk assessment, with high-risk threshold >40 inches (102 cm) for men. 2
Even modest weight loss of 5-10% produces meaningful health improvements for those above the healthy weight range, even if final weight remains above ideal BMI. 2, 5