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:

• \( height\_in \) — Height in inches
• 45.5 — Base weight for women (kg)
• 50 — Base weight for men (kg)
• 2.3 — Weight added per inch over 5 feet

Explanation: The formula assumes an ideal weight for someone 5 feet tall, then adds 2.3 kg for each additional inch.

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

Details: IBW is used clinically for determining medication dosages, nutritional requirements, and as a reference point for assessing obesity or underweight status.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is IBW different for men and women?
A: Men typically have more muscle mass and larger frames than women of the same height, leading to different ideal weight ranges.

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

Q3: How accurate is this formula?
A: It provides a general estimate but doesn't account for frame size, muscle mass, or body composition.

Q4: Should athletes use this formula?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may weigh more than their IBW without being overweight.

Q5: What about Adjusted Body Weight?
A: For obese patients, Adjusted Body Weight (ABW) may be more appropriate for medication dosing.