How Much Should I Weigh? – Quick Overview

• Ideal Body Weight (IBW) estimates the optimal weight for health and medical purposes, not appearance.
• Originally used for drug dosage calculations, now also used in sports and general health assessments.
• IBW formulas are based on height and gender, not body composition.

Key Considerations

• IBW is not exact — it doesn't account for muscle mass, fat percentage, or body frame.
• Healthy individuals may be above or below their "IBW".
• Lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep) are more important than chasing a specific weight.

Factors That Affect Ideal Weight

• Age: Muscle mass and fat distribution change with age.
• Gender: Males usually weigh more due to higher muscle mass.
• Height: Taller individuals generally weigh more.
• Body Frame Size: Larger bone structure increases weight naturally.

Common IBW Formulas

• Hamwi: Male: 48kg + 2.7kg/inch | Female: 45.5kg + 2.2kg/inch
• Devine: Male: 50kg + 2.3kg/inch | Female: 45.5kg + 2.3kg/inch
• Robinson: Male: 52kg + 1.9kg/inch | Female: 49kg + 1.7kg/inch
• Miller: Male: 56.2kg + 1.41kg/inch | Female: 53.1kg + 1.36kg/inch

BMI as a Health Indicator

• Healthy BMI range: 18.5–24.9 (for adults)
• Used to identify risk levels for conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
• For children and teens, use CDC BMI percentile charts based on age and gender.

Limitations

• IBW and BMI do not account for muscle mass, fitness level, or health status.
• Should be used as general guidelines, not strict targets.