Ideal Body Weight N3

Determining a person’s Ideal Body Weight (IBW) has a long and unique history. In 1871, French physician Pierre Broca published a simple calculation suggesting a person’s IBW = a person’s height in centimeters minus 100. To compensate for gender differences, females included a +/- 15% allowance and males a +/- 10% allowance in total weight.

In 1943, the insurance firm: Metropolitan Life developed and employed a height and weight table as an indicator of a person’s health for actuary purposes. These tables were used through to the 1970’s when Dr. B. Devine in 1974 introduced what is now known as the Devine Formula to determine drug metabolism (clearance) rates in obese patients: Males = 50kg + 2.3kg * (Height (in) - 60) and averages a BMI of 23; Females = 45.5kg + 2.3kg *(Height (in) - 60).

This app reflects the Devine Formula and the only inputs for this app to determine your IBW is to indicate your gender then value (input) your weight. If the actual body weight is 30% greater than the calculated IBW, the Adjusted Body Weight (ABW) will automatically be calculated and displayed.