Table 3.

Weight descriptors commonly used in adult patients in the clinical setting

Ideal body weight (IBW)

IBW in kg for men = 50 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch in height over 60 inches

IBW in kg for women = 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg for each inch in height over 60 inches

Adjusted body weight (ABWadj)

ABWadj in kg = IBW + 0.4 (actual weight - IBW)

Lean body weight (LBW)

LBW (men) = (1.10 × weight in kg) – {120 × [(weight in kg)/(height in cm)]2}

LBW (women) = (1.07 × weight in kg) – {148 × [(weight in kg)/(height in cm)]2}

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI = actual body weight (ABW) in kg divided by (height in m)2

Body surface area (BSA) in m2

BSA = square root [(height in cm × ABW in kg)/3600]

Various methods have been used for estimation - inclusion in this table should not be interpreted as support for a particular method. Reprinted with permission from Erstad[15]. Copyright © by John Wiley Sons, Inc. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.