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How do you calculate your ideal weight using only your height and sex as parameters? This is what the Lorentz formula aims to do, with the only major drawback that it doesn’t take into account the different body types. Which is why, if you have a strong bone structure or a smaller build, it is best to refer to the Monnerot-Dumaine formula (ideal weight with wrist circumference) or the Creff formula (morphology and age) for a more accurate calculation.
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How do you calculate your ideal body weight using the Lorentz formula?
The Lorentz formula, created by Dr Friedrich Lorentz (a member of the Department of Sports Hygiene at the Hamburg Institute) in 1929, is based on Broca’s formula and adds the parameters of a person’s height and sex. The ideal weight, according to Lorentz’s formula, is calculated on the basis of two parameters:
- Height in centimetres
- Gender
Discover the formulas:
Ideal male weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 – ((height in cm – 150) /4))
Ideal female weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 – ((height in cm – 150) /2.5))Depending on your sex, choose the formula that best suits you and determine your ideal weight for staying healthy.
The pros and cons of the Lorentz formula:
Advantages: the most commonly used formula for estimating your ideal weight.
Disadvantages: it does not take account of age or morphology. Approximate formula.
Explore the ideal weight chart created using the Lorentz formula
While the BMI does not differentiate between men and women in its calculation, the Lorentz formula takes this parameter into account when calculating a person’s ideal weight. To find out your ideal weight according to your sex and height, refer to the tables below. Please note that, as with BMI, these tables are for adults aged between 18 and 65 (except pregnant women and top-level sportspeople).
Ideal weight table
for women
| Height | Ideal weight |
|---|---|
| 1m55 | 53.0 |
| 1m60 | 56.0 |
| 1m65 | 59.0 |
| 1m70 | 62.0 |
| 1m75 | 65.0 |
| 1m80 | 68.0 |
| 1m85 | 71.0 |
| 1m90 | 74.0 |
| 1m95 | 77.0 |
Ideal weight chart
for men
| Height | Ideal weight |
|---|---|
| 1m55 | 53.8 |
| 1m60 | 57.5 |
| 1m65 | 61.3 |
| 1m70 | 65.0 |
| 1m75 | 68.8 |
| 1m80 | 72.5 |
| 1m85 | 76.3 |
| 1m90 | 80.0 |
| 1m95 | 83.8 |
The concept of the “ideal weight” is extremely subjective
The notion of ideal weight is often used to describe a weight that is considered healthy and appropriate for a given person, based on individual characteristics such as age, height, gender and body composition. However, it is important to note that ideal weight can vary considerably from one person to another and that there isno single, universal definition of ideal weight. This idea therefore remains highly subjective and should always be moderated and accompanied by a health professional who can diagnose a weight deficit or excess in terms of general health and a multifactorial approach.
Moreover, fixation on the ideal weight can lead to mental health and well-being problems, as it can lead to an obsession with weight loss and a negative attitude towards the body. It’s important to focus on overall health, rather than weight alone, by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
You will understand that although the concept of ideal weight can be useful in guiding people in their quest for a healthy weight, it is important to remember that ideal weight can vary considerably from person to person and that overall health is more important than weight alone.
All the formulas for calculating your ideal weight
The Lorentz formula, created by Dr Friedrich Lorentz (a member of the Department of Sports Hygiene at the Hamburg Institute) in 1929, is based on the Broca Index and it contains additional parameters, such as the person’s height and sex.
Advantage: It is the most common formula used these days to estimate your ideal weight.
Disadvantage: It’s an approximate formula as it does not take into account age or morphology.
Ideal weight for men(in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 – ((height in cm – 150) /4))
Ideal weight for women(in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 – ((height in cm – 150) /2.5))
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is based on a weight-to-height ratio and it is used to determine and assess the risks associated with being underweight or obese.
In order to provide an even more accurate estimate of your ideal weight, this formula takes into account another parameter in addition to your height: your bone structure.
Advantage: It includes bone structure its calculation, and muscle mass to a certain extent.
Disadvantage: The calculation formula is approximate.
Ideal weight (in kg) = (Height in cm – 100 4 x Wrist circumference in cm) / 2
This is the oldest formula to calculate your ideal body weight: It was invented by Dr Paul Broca, a French surgeon, in 1871.
Advantage: It’s a simple formula that is easy to calculate.
Disadvantage: It’s an approximate calculation: It overestimates weight, not only for women, but also for anyone who is taller than 1.65 m.
Ideal weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100
Dating back to 1891, Bornhardt’s formula was originally devised to determine the build of people enrolled in the army and thus determine their physical aptitude for military service. Although less popular than Broca’s Index, it is nonetheless more reliable and accurate, since it takes into account the individual’s specific build.
Advantage: It includes the chest circumference and, to a certain extent, muscle mass.
Disadvantage : It’s an approximate calculation.
Ideal weight (in kg) = ((Height (in cm) x Chest circumference (in cm)) / 240
The formula was created by Professor AF Creff in the 1970s, and it offers a precise calculation of your ideal weight, provided that you have an accurate estimate of your body shape and type.
Advantage: It incorporates body morphology into its calculation, in addition to height and age.
Disadvantage: This formula is based on the distinction between “normal”, “broad” and “slender” people. These notions are relatively vague and subjective and thus the calculation remains fairly approximate.
For an individual with a “normal” build:
Ideal weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 (Age (in years) /10) x 0.9
For an individual with a “large” build:
Ideal weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 (Age (in years) /10) x 0.9 x 1.1
For an individual with a “slender” build:
Ideal weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 (Age (in years) /10) x 0.9 x 0.9
This formula was devised by Dr B.J. Devine in 1974. It was originally designed for medicinal dosage purposes. Widely used in English-speaking countries, this formula was employed by major medical and pharmaceutical houses between 1974 and 2000.
Advantage: It allows a given height, measured in inches, to be converted into an ideal weight, in kilograms.
Disadvantage: The formula does not take age into account, thus it remains approximate.
Ideal weight for men (in kg) = 50 (kg) 2.3 x [Height (in inches) – 60]
Ideal female weight (in kg) = 45.5 (kg) 2.3 x [Height (in inches) – 60]
* one inch represents 25 centimetres
The Perrault Formula is also a variation of Broca’s formula.
Advantage: This formula uses age in its calculation.
Disadvantage: It does not take sex into account. Approximate calculation formula.
Ideal weight (in kg) = Height (in cm) – 100 + (age (in years)/10) x 0.9
