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 and nutritional assessments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devine formula:

Where:

• \( height_{in} \) — Height in inches
• 50 kg — Base weight for men at 5 feet (60 inches)
• 45.5 kg — Base weight for women at 5 feet (60 inches)
• 2.3 kg — Weight added per inch over 5 feet

Explanation: The formula calculates an estimate of ideal weight based on the assumption that people of the same height and gender should have similar weights.

3. Importance of Ideal Weight Calculation

Details: Ideal body weight is used for medication dosing, nutritional assessment, and as a reference point for determining healthy weight ranges.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches), select your gender, and click calculate. The result will show your estimated ideal weight in kilograms.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there different formulas for men and women?
A: Men typically have more muscle mass and bone density than women of the same height, leading to different ideal weight ranges.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a general estimate but doesn't account for factors like muscle mass, bone structure, or body composition.

Q3: What if I'm shorter than 5 feet?
A: The formula can still be used, but the result may be less accurate for very short individuals.

Q4: Can I use this for children?
A: No, this formula is designed for adults. Children require different growth charts and calculations.

Q5: How does this relate to BMI?
A: While related, BMI is a measure of weight relative to height squared, while IBW provides a single target weight for a given height.