CONTENTS
PAGE [What Is Desirable Weight?] 3 [Overweight and Its Dangers] 5 [What Makes a Person Fat?] 5 [Why Do People Overeat?] 6 [How to Lose Weight] 7 [The Body’s Need for Food] 8 [The Body’s Need for Exercise] 11 [What About Short Cuts?] 12 [How Many Calories?] 13 [On Keeping a Record] 19 [Special Problems] 19 [Underweight and Its Dangers] 22 [What Causes Underweight?] 22 [How to Gain Weight] 23 [Adding Extra Calories] 24 [Saving Energy] 24 [Calorie Tables] 25
Edition of January 1953
COPYRIGHT 1950, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
P.F.M.—PRINTED IN U.S.A.—(u) 380 L. W. (Edition Jan. 1953)
What Is Desirable Weight?
Desirable weight is a very individual thing. It may be described as the weight at which a person both looks and feels his best. Height, bone structure, and muscular development must all be taken into account.
Because no two people are alike, weight tables cannot show with complete accuracy exactly what every individual should weigh. The tables shown here are given as a guide rather than as a rigid standard to which everyone should conform. They show desirable weights for men and women at age 25 and over. After a person is full grown and has reached his best weight, he should not gain or lose much for the rest of his life. It used to be considered inevitable and normal for people to get heavier toward middle age. We know now that it is not a normal part of getting older, not healthy, and not necessary.
Life is much easier in many ways for people who are not too fat or too thin. They usually feel and look better. They are apt to live longer. They are less likely to suffer from backaches, foot troubles, constant fatigue, and a host of daily discomforts. They have more fun buying clothes. Normal weight is worth any effort it takes to reach and keep—worth it in terms of everyday comfort and of a healthier, longer life.
| DESIRABLE WEIGHTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF AGES 25 AND OVER[1] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight in Pounds According to Frame (as Ordinarily Dressed) | |||||
| men | HEIGHT (with shoes on) | SMALL FRAME | MEDIUM FRAME | LARGE FRAME | |
| Feet | Inches | ||||
| 5 | 2 | 116-125 | 124-133 | 131-142 | |
| 5 | 3 | 119-128 | 127-136 | 133-144 | |
| 5 | 4 | 122-132 | 130-140 | 137-149 | |
| 5 | 5 | 126-136 | 134-144 | 141-153 | |
| 5 | 6 | 129-139 | 137-147 | 145-157 | |
| 5 | 7 | 133-143 | 141-151 | 149-162 | |
| 5 | 8 | 136-147 | 145-156 | 153-166 | |
| 5 | 9 | 140-151 | 149-160 | 157-170 | |
| 5 | 10 | 144-155 | 153-164 | 161-175 | |
| 5 | 11 | 148-159 | 157-168 | 165-180 | |
| 6 | 0 | 152-164 | 161-173 | 169-185 | |
| 6 | 1 | 157-169 | 166-178 | 174-190 | |
| 6 | 2 | 163-175 | 171-184 | 179-196 | |
| 6 | 3 | 168-180 | 176-189 | 184-202 | |
| women | HEIGHT (with shoes on) | SMALL FRAME | MEDIUM FRAME | LARGE FRAME | |
| Feet | Inches | ||||
| 4 | 11 | 104-111 | 110-118 | 117-127 | |
| 5 | 0 | 105-113 | 112-120 | 119-129 | |
| 5 | 1 | 107-115 | 114-122 | 121-131 | |
| 5 | 2 | 110-118 | 117-125 | 124-135 | |
| 5 | 3 | 113-121 | 120-128 | 127-138 | |
| 5 | 4 | 116-125 | 124-132 | 131-142 | |
| 5 | 5 | 119-128 | 127-135 | 133-145 | |
| 5 | 6 | 123-132 | 130-140 | 138-150 | |
| 5 | 7 | 126-136 | 134-144 | 142-154 | |
| 5 | 8 | 129-139 | 137-147 | 145-158 | |
| 5 | 9 | 133-143 | 141-151 | 149-162 | |
| 5 | 10 | 136-147 | 145-155 | 152-166 | |
| 5 | 11 | 139-150 | 148-158 | 155-169 | |