1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. For senior women in Canada, BMI ranges may be interpreted differently than for younger adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in meters (m)

3. BMI Interpretation for Senior Women

For Canadian senior women (65+ years):

• <22: Underweight (may indicate malnutrition risk)
• 22-26.9: Normal weight (healthy range for seniors)
• 27-29.9: Overweight (may be protective for seniors)
• ≥30: Obese (increased health risks)

Note that slightly higher BMI may be beneficial for seniors compared to younger adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in feet/inches or weight in pounds, convert to metric units first.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI ranges different for seniors?
A: Older adults often have different body composition (more fat, less muscle), and slightly higher BMI may be protective against frailty.

Q2: Is BMI accurate for senior women?
A: BMI has limitations as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Waist circumference may provide additional useful information.

Q3: What's a healthy BMI for a 70-year-old woman?
A: Typically 22-27, but individual health factors should be considered. Consult a healthcare provider.

Q4: Should seniors try to lose weight?
A: Unintentional weight loss can be concerning. Any weight loss plan should be discussed with a doctor.

Q5: Are there better measures than BMI for seniors?
A: Other measures like waist-to-hip ratio, muscle mass assessment, or nutritional screenings may provide additional insights.