Ideal Body Weight Calculator Australia

Devine Formula:

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

Ideal Body Weight (IBW):

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1. What is the Devine Formula?

The Devine Formula is a method for estimating ideal body weight (IBW) based on height and gender. It is widely used in Australia and other countries for medical purposes, including medication dosing and nutritional assessment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devine formula:

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

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 body weight based on the premise that for each inch (2.54 cm) over 5 feet (152.4 cm), an additional 2.3 kg should be added for males and 2.1 kg for females.

3. Importance of Ideal Body Weight Calculation

Details: Ideal body weight is important for determining appropriate medication doses, nutritional requirements, and for assessing healthy weight ranges in clinical settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in centimeters, select gender. Height must be a valid positive number.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use the Devine formula?
A: The Devine formula is widely accepted in medical practice, particularly for medication dosing calculations, and is commonly used in Australia.

Q2: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: The formula may not be accurate for very short or very tall individuals, athletes with high muscle mass, or those with unusual body compositions.

Q3: How does this differ from other IBW formulas?
A: While similar to other formulas like Hamwi's, the Devine formula uses slightly different constants and is particularly favored in clinical settings for drug dosing.

Q4: Should this be used for obesity assessment?
A: IBW is one of several tools for weight assessment. For comprehensive evaluation, BMI and other measures should also be considered.

Q5: Is this formula appropriate for all ethnicities?
A: While widely used, some studies suggest that ideal body weight may vary among different ethnic groups, and adjustments might be needed for specific populations.