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Fact check: What is optimal wieght, fat percentage and muscle percentage for european male, 173 cm tall?

Checked on January 7, 2025

1. Summary of the results

For a European male at 173 cm height, the optimal measurements vary significantly across different sources and calculation methods:

Weight ranges:

  • 64-68 kg (141-150 lbs) according to the Devine formula [1]
  • 72.5-75.3 kg (160-166 lbs) according to NIH recommendations [2]

Body composition targets:

  • Body fat percentage recommendations range from:
  • 13-17% according to NIH [2]
  • 18-24% according to other sources [3]
  • Other body composition elements include:
  • Bone mass: 3-5% of total weight
  • Water percentage: 50-65% [3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial factors were missing from the original question:

  • The concept of "optimal weight" is not a precise science and depends on multiple individual factors [4]:
  • Age
  • Body frame size
  • Overall health status
  • Individual variations
  • BMI considerations:
  • Healthy BMI range should be between 18.5-24.9 [1]
  • Professional medical consultation is recommended for personalized advice [1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question assumes there is a single "optimal" set of measurements, which is misleading because:

  • The Devine formula, while widely used, is just one of many methods for calculating ideal weight [4]
  • Different measurement systems (NIH vs. Devine formula) provide significantly different target weights, showing the variability in "optimal" standards [1] [2]
  • The focus should be on overall health rather than specific numbers [1]
  • Professional measurement tools like Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) are recommended for accurate body composition assessment [3]

The question might lead people to pursue potentially unhealthy or unrealistic goals without considering their individual circumstances and overall health status.

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