Calculating ideal weight: methods and their limits
In this era of rapid and perpetual evolution, both technological and ideological, we have all become obsessed with our bodies and the image of a perfect body dictated by Western aesthetic standards. Some adopt a draconian diet to lose a little fat, while others start eating beyond satiety to try to gain a little weight.
But the big question that unites all these categories of people wanting to get back on track is: "what is my ideal weight?" We will try to answer this question with the main methods of calculating ideal weight, and we will end by looking at the limits of these methods.
A few words on the concept of ideal weight
Having no precise definition, the ideal weight remains a rather vague and ambiguous idea. According to medicine, a person reaching this ideal weight will be less likely to have a weight-related illness (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.).
However, this ideal weight will be included in a weight range and having as an average "the theoretical ideal weight". This theoretical ideal weight depends on each person's height, age, sex, bone structure, morphology, musculature, etc.
There are many mathematical formulas available to us to try to determine our theoretical ideal weight based on various factors, but the main one will remain height. Formulas that give results that can vary greatly from one to another and which are only of theoretical interest.
Let's talk about BMI first
BMI or Body Mass Index is the most commonly used measure to assess a person's corpulence. It was invented by a Belgian scientist Adolphe Quetelet and allows to assess the distribution of weight according to the person's height. Its calculation is very simple, just divide the weight by the square of the height:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m)
For example, a person who weighs 80 kg and is 1.74 m tall will have a BMI of 26.42 kg.m -2 . And since we were talking about ideal weight, it would be a weight in the range allowing a BMI to be between 18.5 and 25.
And here are the orders of magnitude for interpreting the BMI:
- Less than 16.5: Malnutrition or starvation
- 16.5 to 18.5: Thinness
- 18.5 to 25: Normal build
- 25 to 30: Overweight
- 30 to 35: Moderate obesity
- 35 to 40: Severe obesity
- Over 40: Morbid or massive obesity
But this index was designed only for people between 18 and 65 years old. In addition, it does not take into account bone mass or muscle mass and is therefore unsuitable for certain groups of individuals including high-level athletes, bodybuilders, giants and dwarves, amputees, etc.
For more accurate data on body mass distribution, you can use an impedance scale. Once reserved for health professionals, you can now find fairly reliable scales on the consumer market for around a hundred euros: see here .
Other calculation formulas
- Broca's formula
The most simplistic formula we all know:
Ideal weight = height (cm) – 100
And its simplicity is the origin of its limit because the ideal weight tends to be overestimated as soon as we increase in size.
- Lorentz formula
There is a very popular formula dating back to 1929 to find this famous ideal weight: “the Lorentz formula”.
Ideal weight for women = height (cm) – 100 – (( height (cm) – 150) / 2.5 )
Ideal weight for men = height (cm) – 100 – (( height (cm) – 150) / 4 )
This formula is valid only for people over 18 years old and measuring between 140 and 220 cm. This formula is inspired by that of Broca but Lorentz had added a corrective factor introducing the height and a constant translating the sex of the individual.
Likewise for the BMI, this formula does not take into account the age, bone structure or morphology of the person.
- Creff formula
This third formula allows us to determine what is called the "theoretical ideal weight". This formula is intended to correct the Lorentz formula by introducing variables according to age and morphology but still based on height. However, the variable according to sex has been omitted. According to 3 morphology groups we have the following formulas:
- In the “fine” category we have:
Ideal weight = [ height (cm) – 100 + ( Age / 10 ) ] * 0.9 * 0.9
- In the “normal” category we have:
Ideal weight = [ height (cm) – 100 + ( Age / 10 ) ] * 0.9
- In the “large” category we have:
Ideal weight = [ height (cm) – 100 + ( Age / 10 ) ] * 0.9 * 1.1
Its limitation lies in the fact that the notions of “fine”, “normal”, “large” remain vague and very subjective in order to find satisfactory results.
- The Monnerot-Dumaine formula
This formula attempts to introduce the notion of bone structure and muscle mass by using wrist circumference in its formula:
Ideal weight = (height (cm) – 100 + 4 * wrist circumference (cm)) / 2
Limits and discussions
All these calculation methods have their own interests and limitations, however they allow you to see your corpulence from a quantitative point of view... Which remains a major advantage.
These are formulas from statistics and not from mathematical theorems, so they give approximate results that may satisfy one population and not another. For example, these calculations may be conclusive for Caucasian individuals but not convincing for Asians.
The notion of ideal weight remains subjective and not exclusive but nevertheless it gives a goal to achieve for anyone who has the will to gain or lose weight, which in both cases requires self-discipline and an iron will.
Or just for health reasons, the first idea that immediately comes to mind is to weigh yourself on a scale and find references on how much you should gain or lose.
Others will say that weight is just a number and that you just have to accept your body as it is... But how can you accept your body in a world where appearance dictates ?
Our society demands that we be perfect according to a fixed and ready-made standard of beauty. And the media is of no help, on the contrary they idolize these "beautiful" people and push us more and more towards this cult of the body.
Maybe there are some who have managed to accept their body and are no longer influenced by what society thinks, but most are still self-conscious about their physique and appearance, especially teenagers.
Keep this in mind, nothing can replace your personal appreciation because the main thing is to feel good in your body, there is no point in stressing it.
Furthermore, these calculations and indices do not replace medical advice or a consultation with a dietician who will provide a more in-depth, case-by-case analysis.
Conclusion
To conclude, we will say that the ideal weight is only a number to reach to appease our conscience and tell us that we are neither thin nor overweight, that we are within the standards of beauty of society and thus achieve peace of mind.
However, from a health perspective, since it is a purely statistical design, the ideal weight is very reliable in the sense that by reaching it (at least by having your weight in a range around it) you greatly reduce your chances of having a disease related to weight problems.
If you liked this article and it helped you to know how to calculate your ideal body weight. Leave me in the comments, if you were already aware of these concepts and what is your experience on the subject.
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