1. What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in adults. For men over 65, the NIH recommends slightly different interpretation ranges than for younger adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Interpretation for men over 65:

• Underweight: BMI < 23
• Normal weight: BMI 23-26.9
• Overweight: BMI 27-29.9
• Obese: BMI ≥ 30

3. Importance of BMI for Seniors

Details: For older adults, BMI is an important screening tool but should be interpreted with caution. A slightly higher BMI may be protective against osteoporosis and frailty, while low BMI may indicate malnutrition or sarcopenia.

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 (1 kg = 2.2 lbs, 1 m = 3.28 ft).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why different ranges for seniors?
A: Older adults naturally lose muscle mass, so the standard BMI categories may overestimate obesity risk. The adjusted ranges account for this.

Q2: What are limitations of BMI for seniors?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass. A muscular person may be classified as overweight despite being healthy.

Q3: Should waist circumference be measured too?
A: Yes, waist circumference (>40 inches for men) better indicates abdominal obesity and health risks.

Q4: What's a healthy weight loss goal for seniors?
A: Gradual loss of 0.5-1 kg per week through diet and exercise is recommended for overweight seniors.

Q5: When should a senior not lose weight?
A: Unintentional weight loss or BMI < 23 should be evaluated by a doctor before attempting weight reduction.