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 older adults, BMI interpretation differs from younger populations.

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)

Explanation: The formula divides weight by the square of height to estimate body fatness.

3. Importance of BMI for Geriatric Adults

Details: For older adults, slightly higher BMI values may be protective against mortality. The calculator uses adjusted categories appropriate for geriatric populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are BMI categories different for older adults?
A: Older adults may benefit from slightly higher BMI due to age-related body composition changes and the "obesity paradox" in elderly populations.

Q2: What is a healthy BMI for seniors?
A: For adults over 65, BMI of 22-27 is generally considered healthy, compared to 18.5-24.9 for younger adults.

Q3: Are there limitations to BMI for elderly?
A: Yes, BMI doesn't account for muscle loss (sarcopenia) or fat distribution changes common with aging.

Q4: Should weight loss be recommended for overweight seniors?
A: Not necessarily - unintentional weight loss may be more concerning than slightly elevated BMI in older adults.

Q5: What additional assessments complement BMI in elderly?
A: Waist circumference, muscle mass assessment, and nutritional screening provide more complete evaluation.