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 healthy range is adjusted to 23-29 kg/m².

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The calculation divides a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

3. Importance of BMI for Men Over 65

Details: For older men, BMI ranges are adjusted because some extra weight may be protective against osteoporosis and provide energy reserves during illness. The optimal range is 23-29 kg/m² rather than the standard 18.5-24.9.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For printable results, use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Command+P).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the BMI range different for older men?
A: Research shows that slightly higher BMI in older adults may be protective and associated with lower mortality.

Q2: How accurate is BMI for older adults?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so muscular individuals may have high BMI without excess fat. Waist circumference can provide additional information.

Q3: Should I try to lose weight if my BMI is over 29?
A: Consult your doctor. Unintentional weight loss in older adults can be harmful, so any weight loss should be medically supervised.

Q4: What if I can't measure in metric units?
A: For pounds and inches: [weight (lb) / [height (in)]²] × 703

Q5: Does this calculator work for women over 65?
A: While women also have adjusted ranges, this calculator uses thresholds specifically for men. Women may have slightly different optimal ranges.