How does ABW differ from ideal body weight? A clinical and practical guide
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                The concept of ideal body weight (IBW) originated from Metropolitan Life Insurance data collected between 1885 and 1908 to assess mortality risk. Despite its long history, modern healthcare professionals often ask, "How does ABW differ from ideal body weight?" The key distinction lies in the clinical application for patients with excess weight, where adjusted body weight (ABW) provides a more nuanced measure for medical dosing and nutritional planning.