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.

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 Women Over 60

Special Considerations: For women over 60, BMI ranges may be interpreted differently:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese: BMI 30 or greater

Note that some experts suggest a slightly higher optimal BMI range (23-27) for older adults.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 165 cm = 1.65 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is BMI accurate for older women?
A: BMI is a screening tool but may not account for muscle loss or fat distribution changes in older adults. Waist circumference may provide additional useful information.

Q2: What's a healthy BMI for a 60+ woman?
A: While 18.5-24.9 is standard, some research suggests 23-27 may be optimal for older women to account for age-related changes.

Q3: Should older women try to lose weight?
A: Weight management should focus on maintaining muscle mass through protein intake and exercise, rather than just weight loss.

Q4: How often should older women check BMI?
A: Annual checks are reasonable unless there are significant weight changes or health concerns.

Q5: Are there better alternatives to BMI for seniors?
A: Body composition analysis (measuring muscle vs. fat) may be more informative but requires special equipment.