What is a healthy BMI for a woman?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

A healthy Body Mass Index for an adult woman generally ranges between 18.5 and 24.9, according to World Health Organization and clinical health guidelines. This standard range applies across adult age brackets, though geriatric specialists note that older women may benefit from a slightly higher BMI—ranging up to 27 or 28—which provides a protective physiological reserve against chronic wasting diseases and frailty. Because standard BMI calculations do not differentiate between fat mass and lean muscle tissue, women should evaluate body composition and overall fitness alongside their BMI score with a healthcare provider.

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