Question 1

What is the ideal weight for my height?

Accepted Answer

Ideal weight varies by formula and gender. For a 5'10" (178 cm) male: Hamwi = 166 lbs (75.3 kg), Devine = 166 lbs (75.3 kg), Robinson = 160 lbs (72.6 kg), Miller = 165 lbs (74.8 kg) — an average of ~164 lbs. For a 5'5" (165 cm) female: Hamwi = 125 lbs (56.7 kg), Devine = 125 lbs (56.7 kg), Robinson = 127 lbs (57.6 kg), Miller = 131 lbs (59.4 kg) — an average of ~127 lbs. These are clinical guidelines, not rigid targets.

Question 2

What are the Hamwi, Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas?

Accepted Answer

All four use height above 5 feet as the base: Hamwi (1964): Male = 48.0 + 2.7 kg per inch over 5'; Female = 45.5 + 2.2 kg per inch. Devine (1974): Male = 50.0 + 2.3 kg per inch; Female = 45.5 + 2.3 kg per inch. Robinson (1983): Male = 52.0 + 1.9 kg per inch; Female = 49.0 + 1.7 kg per inch. Miller (1983): Male = 56.2 + 1.41 kg per inch; Female = 53.1 + 1.36 kg per inch. The Devine formula is most commonly used in clinical settings for drug dosing calculations.

Question 3

Is ideal body weight the same as a healthy BMI weight?

Accepted Answer

They're related but not identical. A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is considered 'normal weight' by the WHO. The midpoint (BMI ~21.7) for a 5'10" male gives about 151 lbs — somewhat lighter than the formula averages (~164 lbs). The IBW formulas were originally developed for pharmacology (drug dosing), not necessarily as fitness targets. Consider both BMI range and formula results as a general zone rather than a precise goal.

Question 4

How much does body frame size affect ideal weight?

Accepted Answer

Frame size can shift your ideal weight by 10–15%. To estimate frame: wrap thumb and middle finger around your wrist. If they overlap → small frame (subtract ~10% from ideal weight), if they just touch → medium frame (use ideal weight as-is), if they don't touch → large frame (add ~10%). Metropolitan Life Insurance tables used frame size extensively. For a 5'10" male: small frame ≈ 148–158 lbs, medium ≈ 158–172 lbs, large ≈ 168–188 lbs.

Question 5

Should I use ideal weight or goal weight for weight loss?

Accepted Answer

Use ideal weight as a rough orientation, but set realistic goal weight based on your starting point and history. If you're significantly above your ideal weight, a 5–10% reduction from your current weight is a clinically meaningful goal that improves health markers (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol). Sustained weight loss of 0.5–1 lb per week is healthiest. Many people feel and perform best at a weight slightly above the 'ideal' formulas suggest, especially athletes with higher muscle mass.

Height	Male (lbs)	Male (kg)	Female (lbs)	Female (kg)
5'0" (152 cm)	115	52.0	106	48.3
5'2" (157 cm)	124	56.0	114	51.9
5'4" (163 cm)	133	60.5	123	56.0
5'6" (168 cm)	142	64.6	132	59.7
5'8" (173 cm)	152	68.8	140	63.5
5'10" (178 cm)	161	72.9	148	67.2
6'0" (183 cm)	170	77.0	157	71.0
6'2" (188 cm)	179	81.1	165	74.7

Frame Size	Wrist Test	Adjustment	5'10" Male Example
Small	Fingers overlap	−10%	≈ 148–155 lbs
Medium	Fingers just touch	No change	≈ 160–170 lbs
Large	Fingers don't touch	+10%	≈ 172–188 lbs

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