Ideal weight for Indian men and women increased to 65-55kg: Here are a few tips to stay fit | Photo Credit: iStock Images
Hyderabad: The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), which is located in Hyderabad, has revised the ideal weight for both men and women in the country by adding 5-5 kg. As per the new guidelines, the average weight of Indian men is 65kg, whereas, for women, the average weight has now been increased to 55 kg. The leading nutrition research body also made changes in the height of both men and women.
The NIN, which is one of the oldest research centers in India and the largest center, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in its 2020 report released on Monday, increased the weight of an ideal or reference Indian man to 65kg, an increase of 5 kg from 60kg in 2010, reported TOI. For women, the average weight has now gone up to 55 kg from 50kg.
The research body also increased the height for men to 5 feet 8 inches from 5 feet 6 inches a decade ago. Similarly, the height of Indian women has now been increased to 5 feet 3 inches from 5 feet in 2010. Your height and weight are the two primary parameters that impact your health and are co-related using height and weight charts.
According to the scientists at the NIN, the body mass index (BMI) of Indian people has been changed because of an increase in nutritional intake among the people. This time, the experts also included data from rural areas unlike 10 years ago where only urban areas were included in the data.
Additionally, the NIN also revised its recommended dietary allowance and estimated average requirement (EAR) recommendations for Indians. Under the new guidelines, the definition for reference adult man and woman of the country has now been changed to 19-39 years from 20-39 in 2010. Scientists also stated that the 1989 expert committee included only the weight and height of children and adolescents from well-to-do families.
The expert panel also, for the first time, recommended the intake of fibre-based energy foods. Dietary fibre, also known as roughage or bulk, is an essential nutrient thats been linked to a number of health benefits such as normalising bowel movement, improving weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, etc. In fact, research has shown that a diet rich in fibre is linked with a lower risk of excess belly fat. A healthy diet consisting of plenty of different nutrient-dense foods along with other healthy lifestyle changes will help you avoid gaining weight and belly fat.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
