Ideal Body Weight Calculation

Devine Formula:

\[ \text{IBW (kg)} = \begin{cases} 50 + 0.91 \times (\text{height (cm)} - 152.4) & \text{for males} \\ 45.5 + 0.91 \times (\text{height (cm)} - 152.4) & \text{for females} \end{cases} \]

Ideal Body Weight (IBW):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of optimal weight for health based on height and gender. The Devine formula is commonly used in medical settings to calculate IBW for medication dosing, nutritional assessment, and clinical evaluations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devine formula:

\[ \text{IBW (kg)} = \begin{cases} 50 + 0.91 \times (\text{height (cm)} - 152.4) & \text{for males} \\ 45.5 + 0.91 \times (\text{height (cm)} - 152.4) & \text{for females} \end{cases} \]

Where:

\( height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
50 — Base weight for males (kg)
45.5 — Base weight for females (kg)
0.91 — Weight increment per cm above 152.4 cm
152.4 — Reference height (5 feet in cm)

Explanation: The formula calculates ideal weight based on the concept that for every inch (2.54 cm) over 5 feet, an additional 2.3 kg (for males) or 2.1 kg (for females) should be added to the base weight.

3. Importance of Ideal Body Weight Calculation

Details: IBW is used in various medical applications including drug dosing calculations, nutritional assessment, determining appropriate body weight for rehabilitation, and as a reference point for weight management programs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in centimeters, select gender. Height must be a positive value. The calculator provides the estimated ideal body weight in kilograms.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the Devine formula used for?
A: The Devine formula is primarily used for medication dosing calculations, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows where weight-based dosing is critical.

Q2: Are there limitations to the Devine formula?
A: Yes, it may not be accurate for very tall or short individuals, athletes with high muscle mass, or elderly patients with altered body composition.

Q3: How does IBW differ from BMI?
A: IBW provides a single target weight based on height and gender, while BMI is a ratio of weight to height squared that categorizes weight status (underweight, normal, overweight, obese).

Q4: Should IBW be used for weight loss goals?
A: While IBW can serve as a reference, individual factors like body composition, muscle mass, and overall health should be considered when setting weight management goals.

Q5: Are there alternative IBW formulas?
A: Yes, other formulas include Robinson, Miller, and Hamwi methods, each with slightly different coefficients and applications.