BMI in adults over 65 <23 is underweight!

[LoserWinner]

I wonder if others of my generation are aware that for older adults, the ‘ideal’ bmi is higher than for younger people. Most bmi tables have a small-print caveat that they aren’t reliable for over 65s, but few read or note the small print. I’m inclined to think it should be more widely known that there’s a growing body of evidence indicating that a bmi of less than 23 is underweight for older people, compared to 18.5 for younger adults.

This discovery means I’ve suddenly gone from being moderately healthy (bmi 20) to unhealthily underweight. I don’t have any immediate plans to rectify this, but I shall be very wary about any weight loss, which usually happens over the summer when I live on salads and spend a lot of time outdoors. I’m planning generous picnics and lots of ice cream…

The other thing to consider, when you’re older, is the value of carrying a bit of extra weight if you’re taken ill.

My daughter always says when this comes up; if you fall do you want to break or bounce? Which is reasonable I suppose.
Im 5’2” and have always weighed 8.5 stone or a bit less. I’m comfortable at this weight and not comfortable at more.
So I’m going to carry on eating well, exercising to the best of my fatigued ability, do my weight resistant pitiful routine and morning stretches so my back doesn’t seize up altogether.
That will have to do. I can’t be thinking of the obese paradox where people who are obese have better outcomes than people who aren’t because I don’t know what they’re measuring and I’m not convinced that putting on an extra couple of stone is going to do me any good at all.
So my BMI is 21.5 and that where it’s staying.

My 65 year old husband's fucked then, his BMI of 16 is underweight even by the standard chart 😆

I seem to recall there was some evidence about reduced chance of hip fractures (which cause significant morbidity and mortality) in older people - padding in that area may prevent! Also things like hip fractures can affect mobility, then end up with secondary issues like catching hospital acquired infections, pneumonias etc and other complications… I agree with other poster, if you are of a low BMI there is more chance of weight loss if unwell, post surgery recovery improved etc - general of course. Weight and BMI are very arbitrary though, but in many older people their lower weight can be due to loss of muscle mass which is not healthy. It’s all highly individual though…

Yes, that’s true. For people over 65, research suggests the healthiest BMI is slightly higher (around 23–30). So a BMI of 20 can be considered a bit low for older adults. The focus should be on good nutrition and maintaining strength, not just the BMI number.