1. What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of healthy weight based on height and gender. It's commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing, nutritional assessment, and determining appropriate weight ranges.

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
• Men: 50 kg for first 5 feet + 2.3 kg per additional inch
• Women: 45.5 kg for first 5 feet + 2.3 kg per additional inch

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

Details: IBW is used clinically for medication dosing, nutritional assessment, ventilator settings, and determining if a patient is underweight or overweight.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches), select gender. The calculator will provide the estimated ideal body weight in kilograms.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is IBW different for men and women?
A: The formula accounts for typical differences in body composition between genders, with men generally having more muscle mass.

Q2: How accurate is the Devine formula?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate for most adults but may be less accurate for very tall or short individuals and those with unusual body compositions.

Q3: Should IBW be used for obesity assessment?
A: IBW is less useful for obesity assessment than BMI or body fat percentage, as it doesn't account for actual body composition.

Q4: Are there other IBW formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi equations, which give slightly different results.

Q5: How is IBW used in medicine?
A: Common uses include calculating drug doses (especially for chemotherapy), nutritional requirements, and ventilator settings.