Is 160 lbs overweight for a man at 5'8"?
No — 160 lbs is within the healthy range for 5'8" (for a man).
At 160 lbs (72.6 kg) and 5'8" (172.7 cm) for a man, the BMI is 24.3 — normal weight.
Public-health guidelines place the ideal weight for 172.7 cm tall adults at 122–164 kg, equivalent to a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
What the numbers mean for you
You have 4 lbs (2.0 kg) of headroom before crossing into overweight (BMI 25 = 164 lbs (74.6 kg)).
Your BMI band midpoint is BMI 21.7 (143 lbs (64.7 kg)), often used as the "most protective" reference in cohort studies.
Timelines assume ~7,700 kcal per kg of body fat. Real progress varies with muscle mass, adherence, and medications.
What this means
This range corresponds to the lowest statistical risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in long-term cohort studies.
Waist matters more than the scale
Two people can share the same BMI and have very different metabolic risk. For that reason, waist circumference is now considered a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic disease than BMI alone.
- Waist-to-height rule: keep your waist under half your height — that means below 86 cm (34") at 172.7 cm.
- Absolute cutoff for men: waist under 94 cm (37") is associated with meaningfully lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Higher-risk zone: waist above 102 cm (40") — this is where risk climbs sharply regardless of BMI.
For men at 5'8"
BMI uses the same formula for both sexes, but health interpretation differs. Men typically carry a lower percentage of body fat at the same BMI than women. A waist circumference under 40 inches (102 cm) lowers cardiometabolic risk independent of BMI.
Precise ±5 lb neighbours at this height
| Weight | Conversion | BMI | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155 lbs | 70.3 kg | 23.6 | Normal weight |
| 156 lbs | 70.8 kg | 23.7 | Normal weight |
| 157 lbs | 71.2 kg | 23.9 | Normal weight |
| 158 lbs | 71.7 kg | 24.0 | Normal weight |
| 159 lbs | 72.1 kg | 24.2 | Normal weight |
| 160 lbs ← this page | 72.6 kg | 24.3 | Normal weight |
| 161 lbs | 73 kg | 24.5 | Normal weight |
| 162 lbs | 73.5 kg | 24.6 | Normal weight |
| 163 lbs | 73.9 kg | 24.8 | Normal weight |
| 164 lbs | 74.4 kg | 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 165 lbs | 74.8 kg | 25.1 | Overweight |
Practical next steps
- Continue current habits; this BMI band is associated with the lowest health risk.
- Focus on protein intake (0.8–1 g per kg) and quality sleep.
- Track waist circumference rather than weight as you age.
- Annual labs are still worthwhile even at a healthy weight.
Frequently asked questions
Is 160 lbs overweight for a man at 5'8"?
160 lbs at 5'8" gives a BMI of 24.3, which is normal weight. The healthy range for 5'8" is 122–164 lbs.
What is the healthy weight for 5'8"?
122–164 lbs.
What waist size is healthy for a man at 5'8"?
Under 40 inches (102 cm) is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.