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, nutritional assessment, and determining healthy weight ranges.

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 provides a simple way to estimate healthy weight based on height and gender differences in body composition.

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches) and select gender. The calculator will estimate your 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 larger frames than women of the same height, so their ideal weight is proportionally higher.

Q2: What's the difference between IBW and BMI?
A: IBW is an absolute weight for a given height, while BMI is a ratio of weight to height squared. Both are screening tools but have different applications.

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

Q4: What about for very tall or short people?
A: The formula may be less accurate at height extremes. Alternative formulas like the Hamwi method might be more appropriate.

Q5: Should athletes use this formula?
A: Athletes with high muscle mass may weigh more than their IBW without being overweight. Body fat percentage may be a better indicator.