BMI and Healthy Weight Guidelines for Seniors

Understanding BMI for Seniors

[{"selector":"#anim-5df914fd-fc77-49f2-8139-70973b7dbe52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-92b76aaf-6edf-4441-bbba-10390eecbafc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbae5b84-accd-4f0f-aeac-6a9423ff13fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 216.74272%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0273f1a8-6eb2-47aa-bd57-30d4feaaeab3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0432c173-69da-4240-acf2-81f1d9a8f0c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.96299%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-afe64165-9f40-4e53-bfa1-816cfc3aa6c4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8af11dec-3cb2-40fe-887c-cc13c0f04f12","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] BMI isn’t the same for seniors as adults. For seniors over 65, the ideal BMI range is 25-27. Source: Freepik

Why BMI is different for Seniors?

[{"selector":"#anim-78c83728-aec1-4327-ad57-12e89ee9dab1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c22b7e55-b12a-474e-98bd-32ee70623bef","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1625deb6-2966-41df-a24c-378bf8b8c7ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 159.82039%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d91b683-ed1f-46d7-8e2b-d088c2a8f032","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87d2b087-a6eb-4e37-9faf-716d67dc8fb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.96299%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-99ea6e8b-693b-4feb-842e-40de907a58ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d7e5a59-81e8-48cf-948b-416bc4ffc3e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Higher BMI offers benefits such as improved bone health and also protects and cures conditions like osteoporosis. Source: Freepik

The Risks of Low BMI for Seniors

[{"selector":"#anim-8b04c703-c75a-42ce-8e15-688ced61bbbe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c97b536b-ef5f-4ffb-99a6-f7c373d3c10f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d31bf88-b4f5-4a96-89e5-e785fff09d9f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 159.82039%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9416ca6-0e1d-43ac-a219-32d1e4855cc0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c68bccb1-ae41-433a-8d35-876fbbeb08d1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.96299%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd13293d-39a2-4fd8-87a3-8a1a72169417","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-475d8da5-86f2-45ec-bef8-44174bb1a241","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Low BMI can lead to higher risks such as disability, dementia, and even death in some cases for seniors. Source: Freepik

The Protective Effect of Extra Weight

[{"selector":"#anim-7721b481-0a77-4e60-8cd8-1624aeba6980","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be1137c2-211e-4b03-8607-036137fb6905","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e59e34d-06d9-42d9-bab4-6f9236ca98e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 159.82039%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb53a83d-adf5-4d41-a20d-bae16a96f496","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d1e9662-5c9a-429d-a3c2-b984f24f56d5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.96299%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8980ac1-69e9-4127-8db2-c307441d3898","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-643d61d9-f954-4aa0-aeba-b01b5bb60e2a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Gaining a little extra weight can save seniors with health conditions like heart issues or cancer. Source: Freepik

BMI’s Limitations

[{"selector":"#anim-a03fe1d0-9f83-4378-b74d-8bbfada84a04","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a76885b2-aa36-42ed-b819-6e8919e937c7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e9bab41-ff8a-448f-9f12-edbf22ce8f40","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 182.04261%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4fe39fc-2de2-4bcc-9d40-17233aebc0c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3715db15-764a-427f-8d3f-94f8b693d581","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 539.56680%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eeeb287a-38a7-4939-a221-0f0e958799d3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d2d58d5-2df4-4d70-8263-4aae8eba67cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] BMI is used widely to gauge health, however, it doesn’t consider age, ethnicity, or body composition. Source: Freepik

Waist Circumference and Health

[{"selector":"#anim-86be3519-8eb7-4e00-9d38-4f0b67d5c921","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-852c4207-1ca1-4269-9dc1-47dc52228f09","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75f6dbc1-eb32-4551-9dcc-57825ff39518","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 144.89615%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b4ec53f-3229-4167-9912-6988d2fef24b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c35643bd-9755-44e3-84c0-254e3f0dccf5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 337.62970%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb98e1bd-ab4a-4cdb-9947-62aa3be1dcae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-032e73c3-68c9-4fe7-8870-2daec349ee8f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] However, don’t just focus on putting on weight suggested by BMI. Waist size matters too. The larger the waist, the greater the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Source: Freepik

Find out different healthy weight ranges based on height for people over 60. Click this link to calculate it.

[{"selector":"#anim-34169b7d-3f44-4f52-8097-fb0607bb1850 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.0008002437186256%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d472bf1-7aa2-4148-b1cb-3e952fcb12d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44e6bb93-9ce7-4e3b-bc3e-14f944310e07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 195.22224%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b1bc7a29-d941-46e0-94f7-de64b2c4f044","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a15b2fbb-3b44-4f72-a94d-774844cef81a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 610.05265%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1dbb57d-191a-4eed-8869-26c9f4a16db0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e430be67-284e-48ff-8c95-d36efe109352","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 256.79011%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Source: Freepik Read more