Ideal weight formulas by Broca and Devine About arithmetic formulas for calculating ideal weight The history of the formulas for calculating ideal body weight began in 1871 when Dr. Pierre Paul Broca4 (a French surgeon) created this formula ( known as Broca’s index): Weight (in kg) should equal Height( in cm) – 100, plus or […]

The science behind the “Peoples Choice” Ideal Weight formula. By Steven B. Halls, MD       Back to the Ideal Weight calculator The “Peoples Choice” formula for Ideal Weight was designed by Dr. SB Halls.   Its origins and justification are described on this page. The formula tries to predict what other similar people would choose as […]

The "Metropolitan Life" tables. By Steven B. Halls, MD,FRCPC In 1943, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company introduced their standard height-weight tables for men and women. The tables were revised slightly in 1983. They were called "desirable" weights, which would indicate those persons with the lowest mortality rates4. The phrase “ideal weight5” gradually became associated with […]

Anything wrong with overweight people? Do they know their ideal weight or ideal BMI? The answer is Yes, as explained below. Be patient, it takes a little explaining… People’s Choice Ideal BMI Chart The chart below shows adult Mens “People’s Choice Ideal BMI” on the top line, using data from the Crawford and Campbell study. […]

A Little bit about the Medical Recommendations of Ideal Body Weight By Steven B. Halls, MD The medical profession likes simplicity. Researchers have tested if being overweight causes health risks, using a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 as the definition of overweight. This is obviously too simple, but it is a common method […]