The percent underweight is one way of expressing how underweight a person is. This can be monitored over time to determine how well the person is responding to an intervention.
Patient selection: actual body weight < ideal body weight
Parameters:
(1) actual body weight in kilograms
(2) ideal body weight in kilograms
percent underweight =
= ((ideal body weight) - (actual body weight)) / (ideal body weight) * 100%
The inherent problem is determining the ideal body weight. This must take into account:
(1) age
(2) gender
(3) race
(4) body frame or build
(5) any amputations
(6) percent body fat (a small percent of body is desirable)
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