1. What is Predicted Body Weight?

Predicted Body Weight (PBW), also known as Ideal Body Weight (IBW), is an estimate of what a person's weight should be based on their height and gender. It's commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing, nutritional assessment, and ventilator settings.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard PBW formula:

Where:

• Height is measured in centimeters (cm)
• Different coefficients are used for males and females

Explanation: The formula calculates what a person's weight should be at a healthy body mass index, accounting for differences in body composition between genders.

3. Importance of PBW Calculation

Details: PBW is crucial for accurate medication dosing (especially for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows), determining appropriate tidal volumes in mechanical ventilation, and assessing nutritional status 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: What's the difference between PBW and actual body weight?
A: PBW estimates what a person should weigh at a healthy BMI, while actual body weight is their current measured weight.

Q2: When should PBW be used instead of actual weight?
A: PBW is typically used for drug dosing of medications that don't distribute into adipose tissue well, and for setting tidal volumes in mechanical ventilation.

Q3: How accurate is the PBW calculation?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate for most adults but may be less accurate for extremely short or tall individuals, athletes with high muscle mass, or elderly patients with altered body composition.

Q4: Are there different formulas for PBW?
A: Yes, several formulas exist. This calculator uses one of the most commonly accepted formulas in clinical practice.

Q5: Can PBW be used for children?
A: No, this formula is specifically designed for adults. Children require different calculations based on age and growth charts.