BMI table age 65 plus

[RelishingGrpSupport]

Hi

The Times and Telegraph have featured a note from a previous UK Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt about older people being better suited to an weight that puts you in a BMI of 23 up to 32.

Since I started the Journey in September 24 I've hit that age range. I've read lots but had never before last week heard of geriatric BMI and discussions on frailty (a defined term in elder health care).

My BMI is about 23 so just within range. I suspect it's to do with the importance of not losing important muscle support as well when shedding fat. Good it's been flagged in the national press though. My health MoT two months ago said I was in the right range but practice nurse remarked another kilo off would be even better.

Extract...

Trying to lose a few pounds? If you’re over 65, your health may be better for remaining at your current weight or actually gaining more, a former health secretary has said.
Dame Patricia Hewitt, 76, who was health secretary from 2005 to 2007, has advised people to have a “buffer zone” of extra weight to prevent frailty and illness in old age.
She shared the advice after being hospitalised with severe dehydration while on holiday in Australia, where doctors told her about the concept of “geriatric BMI” (that a healthy BMI for older people is higher than that of younger people).
...

Elsewhere...

http://thegeriatricdietitian.com/bmi-in-the-elderly/

I am 56 (I have reduced BMI from 45 to 31 using injections) and my current thoughts are a BMI of 25 would be okay, but might not be realistic, I think I would be content with 27ish, then I will review how I feel.

there is something called a smart bmi calculator which takes age into consideration for its ranges, but not sure how well researched it is.

Sounds like you're being practical to me.

Thanks for this
https://www.smartbmicalculator.com/

I read that article yesterday OP. It’s kind of obvious, isn’t it? Common sense even? A woman of 60 is not going to be the same shape as a girl of 18. The BMI is such a crude instrument, it tells us almost nothing apart from if you are very overweight or grossly underweight. He doesn’t take into account age, genetic build, size of frame, or amount of muscle, size of hips or boobs, etc.

If I was at the lower end of BMI at my age – 63 – and with my build – I would look absolutely skeletal and even at the top range I would be very slim. It’s just my opinion, but being too slim it’s not always a good look (though it really depends on the persons individual physiology).

56 is not age 65+.
My current BMI is 20.7
According to that SmartBMI calculator, my mass wouldn't be "too low" until I reached age 78, assuming my height doesn't also decrease.
Am fairly sure that my height will have reduced a bit by that age, so basically I'll need to be at least 82yo before my weight at age 57 (now) would become unhealthy.
So many other things will have changed by then, 25 yrs from now.... including best practice in identifying health risks & metrics !!

I think this is interesting. I can see that it is important not to lose muscle, but a BMI of 32 would not feel healthy to me. I started MJ at a BMI of 36, and it is now 29. I still need to lose 2 stone to be at the top end of the healthy range. I think that will be absolutely fine, but the bottom of the range would be dangerously skinny for me, and not a weight I have ever been as an adult, let alone an older adult. People really need to have common sense and appreciate that you do need a bit of 'padding' as you get older.