1959's Body Standards

[Jazzy]

Recently resurfaced is a fascinating chart from 1959, providing a glimpse into the historical perspective on the desired weight of men and women based on their height and body frame size.

The chart was titled "Desirable weight for men and women according to height and frame, ages 25 and over" and created by Metropolitan Life Insurance based on data from studies at the time.

See the chart here

---

According to the chart: Were you of "desirable weight" back then?

 

[Josiah]

It depends a bit on what "indoor clothes and shoes" means but yeah... I'm on the low end but there.

 

[tango]

It's good to have the concept of frame size in the guidelines, which is more than the very limited BMI measurement these days does. It still makes no account of the difference between someone who naturally has a larger frame and someone who spends their days lifting weights.

 

[Jazzy]

According to the chart, I'm overweight for my height and small frame size.

According to my doctor, I'm underweight or my height and small frame size.

According to me, I'm good just the way I am.