1. What is Ideal Body Weight?

Ideal Body Weight (IBW) is an estimate of healthy weight based on height and gender. The Hamwi formula is commonly used in medical settings for drug dosing and nutritional assessment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Hamwi formula:

Where:

• Height — Measured in inches
• 45.5 kg — Base weight for 5-foot female
• 50 kg — Base weight for 5-foot male
• 2.3 kg — Added for each additional inch over 5 feet

3. Importance of IBW Calculation

Details: IBW is used for medication dosing, nutritional assessment, and determining appropriate weight goals. It's particularly important for calculating doses of certain medications like chemotherapy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in inches (1 foot = 12 inches), select gender. The calculator will automatically compute your ideal body weight based on the Hamwi formula.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use IBW instead of actual weight?
A: IBW provides a standardized reference for medication dosing and nutritional assessment, especially important for obese or underweight individuals.

Q2: How accurate is the Hamwi formula?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate for most adults but may not account for body composition variations in athletes or those with unusual body proportions.

Q3: Should IBW be used for weight loss goals?
A: IBW can serve as a reference point, but individual factors like muscle mass and body composition should also be considered.

Q4: What about metric measurements?
A: The formula was developed using imperial units. For metric, convert height to inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) before calculation.

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