Question 1

What is my ideal weight?

Accepted Answer

There is no single ideal weight that applies to everyone. The calculator first shows a weight range associated with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 in adults. A range is more honest than one number because muscle mass, body shape, age, health and lifestyle all affect what weight means.

Question 2

What is a healthy weight for my height?

Accepted Answer

The healthy weight range is calculated from your height: the lower value is 18.5 × height² and the upper value is 24.9 × height², with height in metres. Two people of the same height can sit at different points in this range and both have healthy profiles.

Question 3

Is ideal weight different for women and men?

Accepted Answer

Adult BMI thresholds are the same for women and men. Historical Lorentz, Devine and Robinson formulas use different coefficients according to sex, but they do not account for individual body composition and should remain comparison points.

Question 4

What is the difference between Lorentz, Devine and Robinson?

Accepted Answer

Lorentz is an older estimate based on height and sex. Devine was proposed for medication dosing, while Robinson later derived another equation from height-weight tables. Their origins and coefficients differ, so their results do not always agree. Modern research suggests that a BMI-compatible range is generally more useful than one ideal value.

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BMI, healthy weight and ideal weight

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