For someone who is 1.57 m tall, the weight range considered healthy according to body mass index is approximately 45 to 61 kg. This nearly 16 kg difference shows just how little the number on the scale alone can tell you about your health. BMI, body shape, body composition and age all shift the picture.
Why BMI alone does not define the ideal weight for someone who is 1.57 m tall
BMI remains the most widely used screening tool. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. For someone who is 1.57 m tall, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 falls within the so-called normal range. This calculation has the advantage of being simple, but it has well-documented blind spots.
In its guide “Overweight and Obesity in Adults”, updated in 2024, the HAS recommends considering BMI and waist circumference together rather than inferring health status from a single number.
BMI does not indicate how fat is distributed or what proportion of body weight is muscle. Someone who is 1.57 m tall, weighs 58 kg, exercises regularly and has well-developed muscles does not have the same metabolic profile as a sedentary person of the same weight.
Waist circumference helps identify abdominal fat, which BMI does not reveal. This visceral fat is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risks far more than overall body weight. When assessing the ideal weight for someone who is 1.57 m tall, combining these two indicators gives a more reliable picture than any single formula.
Ideal weight formulas: what they really measure at 1.57 m
Several formulas are used, and they produce different results for the same height. This is normal: they do not take the same factors into account.
Lorentz formula
The Lorentz formula distinguishes between men and women and gives a slightly higher theoretical weight for a man than for a woman of the same height. It does not account for age or body build, making it a very approximate guide.
Creff formula
The Creff formula adds two variables: age and body shape (slim, average or broad). The difference between a slim and broad build is significant at the same height. Someone with a broad frame who aims for the result calculated for a slim build may be pursuing a goal that does not suit their constitution.
Monnerot-Dumaine formula
This formula uses wrist circumference as an indicator of bone structure. Its results are generally closer to an individual’s actual weight, but it is rarely used in consultations.
None of these formulas is a diagnosis. They provide guidelines, not treatment goals. The weight a person can maintain over the long term without excessive dietary restriction is often a better indicator of their healthy weight than a calculated result.
Body composition and shape: factors the formulas overlook
Healthy weight naturally fluctuates. The human body can vary by a few kilograms with the seasons, hormonal cycles and physical activity levels. A competitor (Decathlon Conseil Sport) puts this variation at 2 to 3 kg, which puts the idea of a fixed target weight into perspective.
Muscle weighs more than fat for the same volume. Someone who is 1.57 m tall and does weight training or a resistance sport may weigh 58 or 60 kg while still having a low body fat percentage and a waist circumference within the recommended range. BMI would classify them as overweight, even though their body composition is favourable.
Several methods can be used to assess body composition beyond simply stepping on a scale:
- Waist circumference, recommended by the HAS, which identifies abdominal fat without requiring any special equipment
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis, available at some medical practices and gyms, which estimates the proportions of body fat, muscle and water
- The waist-to-hip ratio, which refines metabolic risk assessment by taking fat distribution into account
These additional measurements help overcome BMI’s main limitation: a number within the normal range is not enough to conclude that metabolic risk is low.
Healthy weight range at 1.57 m: tailoring the goal to your profile
Current approaches to nutrition are moving away from the idea of a single target weight. The HAS recommends a broader assessment that includes medical and functional impact, psychological health, eating habits and weight history. Maintaining your weight can already be a worthwhile goal in some situations.
For someone who is 1.57 m tall, the different indicators give the following results:
- Normal BMI range: approximately 45 to 61 kg, a broad range that highlights the limitations of relying on a single criterion
- Lorentz formula: a theoretical result that varies by sex, without taking age or body build into account
- Creff formula: a result that varies according to age and body shape (slim, average or broad)
These figures are not targets to pursue at all costs. The weight at which the body naturally stabilises with a balanced diet and regular physical activity is often a more useful indicator than a theoretical calculation.
When to see a doctor about your weight at 1.57 m
Online formulas and calculators provide an initial guide. A medical consultation may be appropriate in specific cases: rapid, unexplained weight changes; a high waist circumference despite a BMI within the normal range; eating disorders; or conditions associated with weight, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
The care recommended by the HAS is tailored to the individual and is not limited to a numerical weight-loss target. A doctor or nutritionist can assess body composition, adapt recommendations to age and physical activity, and set realistic goals that take weight history into account.
The ideal weight for someone who is 1.57 m tall is not a single number displayed by a calculator. It is a personal range based on body shape, body composition and lifestyle. The number on the scale is a starting point, not a verdict.
