Episode notes
Why a “Normal” BMI May Not Be Healthy After 65 |
The Truth About BMI in Older Adults If you're over 65, the BMI chart you've been using your entire life may not tell the whole story. We've all been taught that a “normal” BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. But when it comes to older adults, research tells a different story. In fact, a BMI between approximately 23.0 and 29.9 may be associated with better outcomes for many adults over 65.
So why does the healthy BMI range appear to shift as we age? In this episode, I break down the research behind BMI in older adults and explain why being classified as “overweight” on a standard BMI chart does not necessarily mean an older adult should lose weight.
We discuss the importance of nutritional reserves, muscle mass, frailty, unintentional weight loss, falls, recovery from illness, and why looking at the number on the scale alone can be misleading. Whether you're an older adult, caring for an aging parent, or a dietitian working with older adults, this episode will help you better understand how BMI should be interpreted later in life.
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and share it with someone who cares for older adults, works in clinical nutrition, or has questions about healthy weight and aging. I’m Michelle Saari, MS, RD, a dietitian specializing in geriatric nutrition and helping dietitians better care for older adults. Here, we talk about the practical side of nutrition, aging, long-term care, and clinical nutrition so you can feel more confident supporting older adults.
📌 Read the full article this episode is based on: https://longtermcarerd.com/why-overwe...
🌐 More resources for senior nutrition: https://longtermcarerd.com
Research referenced in this episode can be found at the link for the full article