What is IBW?

Ideal body weight is the suggested weight range for your height, gender, and age. This weight range should be associated with the lowest risk of you developing and dying from a disease related to overweightness and obesity.  Your optimal weight is therefore important for overall health and well-being and helps prevent and control many diseases.

IBW, like most other wellness metrics are important to assist in setting goals and tracking progress.

How Your Build Affects Perfect Body Weight Score

Your build affects your optimal weight so if you have a small frame your IBW will be at the lower end of the range and for a large frame it is at the higher end. It can be difficult to achieve so it is best to set incremental goals that are more attainable and sustainable. A good start is to work towards losing 10% of your weight if your goal is weight loss. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice about health and wellness strategies.

For example, if you weigh 150 pounds and your ideal weight is 124 pounds, your initial goal of 10% weight loss would be 15 pounds. This 15 pound initial weight loss would reduce your weight to 135 pounds. This is not quite ideal score but this amount of weight loss is more sustainable and you can set a new goal at this time that will take you closer to your ideal weight score.

Determining your body type

The easiest way to determine your body type is to wrap the thumb and middle finger of one hand around the opposite wrist. If your fingers overlap you have a small frame, if they just touch a medium frame, and if they do not touch you have a large frame.

Using your IBW score

There is no definite answer as to what is the best weight for each individual. It is multifactorial and depends on your body type (small, normal, or large frame), bone density, muscle to fat ratio, and over all general health. Ideal body weight, like most other wellness metrics are important to assist in setting goals and tracking progress.