[Normal weight and optimal weight--description and evaluation of body mass].

In this paper body mass and body mass in relation to height is analyzed, based on a cross-sectional sample of 21,648 boys and men, and 21,391 girls and women living in villages, towns, and cities in all new federal states of Germany. The sample is stratified to sex, age, territory and size of the settlement. Weight to height regression lines are compared to the results of weight categories by height. The results of the normal weight categories are compared to the optimal weights of Broca, Ott, and Möhr as well as to the standard weights of the US-population. It is pointed out that body mass does not only depend on age and type of body shape during growth age, but also during adulthood. Curves of normal weight are given for children and adolescents in relation to their sex, age, height, and type of body shape. The median values of weight are published as tables for adults.