1. What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of how much a person should weigh based on their height and gender. It's commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing calculations and nutritional assessments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devine formula:

Where:

• Height is measured in inches
• The formula assumes 5 feet (60 inches) as the base height
• For each additional inch, 2.3 kg is added
• Women start with a lower base weight (45.5 kg vs 50 kg for men)

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

Details: IBW is used for medication dosing, nutritional assessment, determining appropriate body weight for mechanical ventilation settings, and as a reference for obesity calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches), select your gender, and click calculate. For accurate results, measure height without shoes.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there different formulas for men and women?
A: Men typically have more muscle mass and larger frames than women of the same height, so their ideal weight is proportionally higher.

Q2: Is this formula accurate for all body types?
A: The formula works best for people of average body composition. It may underestimate for muscular individuals and overestimate for those with small frames.

Q3: How does this relate to BMI?
A: IBW typically corresponds to a BMI of about 21.5 for women and 22.5 for men at average heights.

Q4: What about for very tall or short people?
A: The formula may be less accurate at extremes of height. Alternative formulas exist for these populations.

Q5: Can I use this for weight loss goals?
A: While IBW can provide a general target, individual factors like muscle mass, body composition, and health status should also be considered.