1. What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of healthy body weight based on height and gender. The Devine formula is commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing and nutritional assessment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devine formula:

Where:

• Height is measured in inches
• Base weight is 50 kg for men and 45.5 kg for women
• 2.3 kg is added for each inch over 5 feet (60 inches)

Explanation: The formula assumes a healthy weight range based on typical body composition differences between genders.

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

Details: IBW is used clinically for determining medication dosages, nutritional requirements, and assessing weight status. It's particularly important for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches), select gender. For metric measurements, convert cm to inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there different formulas for men and women?
A: The formulas account for typical differences in body composition - men generally have more muscle mass at the same height.

Q2: What if I'm shorter than 5 feet (60 inches)?
A: The formula still works - it will subtract 2.3 kg for each inch below 60 inches.

Q3: How accurate is the Devine formula?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate for most adults but may not account for individual variations in body composition.

Q4: Should athletes use this formula?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may have an actual weight higher than IBW without being overweight.

Q5: Are there alternative IBW formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi methods, which give slightly different results.