Is 70 kg overweight for 170 cm?
No — 70 kg is within the healthy range for 170 cm.
At 70 kg (154 lbs) and 170 cm (5'7"), the BMI is 24.2 — normal weight.
Public-health guidelines place the ideal weight for 170 cm tall adults at 53.5–72.2 kg, equivalent to a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
What the numbers mean for you
You have 2.3 kg (5 lbs) of headroom before crossing into overweight (BMI 25 = 72.3 kg (159 lbs)).
The arithmetic midpoint of the healthy band at this height is BMI 21.7 (62.7 kg (138 lbs)). That is a midpoint, not a target: there is no evidence that any specific point inside the healthy range is individually optimal.
Timelines assume ~7,700 kcal per kg of body fat. Real progress varies with muscle mass, adherence, and medications.
What this means for your health
This range corresponds to the lowest statistical risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in long-term cohort studies.
Waist adds information BMI cannot
Two people can share the same BMI and carry very different amounts of abdominal fat. Waist circumference captures that difference, which is why clinical guidance (NICE CG189, WHO 2008) recommends reading it alongside BMI rather than instead of it.
- Waist-to-height rule: guidance suggests keeping waist below half your height — below 85 cm (33") at 170 cm.
- Sex-specific thresholds: increased risk from 94 cm (37") for men and 80 cm (31.5") for women; substantially increased risk from 102 cm (40") and 88 cm (34.6") respectively. There is no unisex waist threshold.
- What it does not do: waist is another screening measurement. It does not diagnose anything. These waist cut-offs were derived mainly from European-origin populations. WHO notes that equivalent risk occurs at lower waist values in South Asian, Chinese, Japanese and other Asian populations, so they are population-specific rather than universal. The waist-to-height rule above is the more portable check (NICE NG246, for adults with a BMI below 35).
Precise ±5 kg neighbours at this height
| Weight | Conversion | BMI | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 kg | 143 lbs | 22.5 | Normal weight |
| 66 kg | 146 lbs | 22.8 | Normal weight |
| 67 kg | 148 lbs | 23.2 | Normal weight |
| 68 kg | 150 lbs | 23.5 | Normal weight |
| 69 kg | 152 lbs | 23.9 | Normal weight |
| 70 kg ← this page | 154 lbs | 24.2 | Normal weight |
| 71 kg | 157 lbs | 24.6 | Normal weight |
| 72 kg | 159 lbs | 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 73 kg | 161 lbs | 25.3 | Overweight |
| 74 kg | 163 lbs | 25.6 | Overweight |
| 75 kg | 165 lbs | 26.0 | Overweight |
Practical next steps
- Adult activity guidance is at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Two strength sessions a week is the standard recommendation for preserving lean mass with age.
- Waist circumference thresholds are sex-specific: 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women (WHO, 2008).
- Routine metabolic bloodwork is a general adult health measure, unrelated to BMI category.
Frequently asked questions
Is 70 kg overweight for 170 cm?
70 kg at 170 cm gives a BMI of 24.2, which is normal weight. The WHO healthy range for 170 cm is 53.5–72.2 kg.
What is the healthy weight for 170 cm?
53.5–72.2 kg (118–159 lbs).
How much should I lose or gain?
You are already inside the healthy band — focus on maintenance.