Body mass index (BMI) is a simple, reliable and low-cost screening measure of health in adults. BMI is interpreted differently for adults and older adults.
The normal range for BMI has been worked out to be between 18.5 and 25. Having a BMI outside the healthy weight range can increase a person’s risk for certain health problems.
BMI is a calculated measure of the body weight relative to height. The weight is calculated in kilograms and the height is calculated in meters.
One of the main reasons BMI is used for screening is because it is quick, inexpensive and a very reliable measure to assess a person’s weight relative to their height.
Adults who have obesity based on the BMI are at increased risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, many types of cancer, severe COVID-19 illness, mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, joint problems including osteoarthritis and breathing problems including asthma and sleep apnea.
Although BMI can be used in most adults, it does have some limitations. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and people who have a muscular build and it may underestimate body fat in older people and people who do not have a lot of muscle tissue.
The geriatric BMI calculator is a tool specifically created for adults over 65 years of age. Recent research showed that for the older population, being overweight is not associated with an increased risk of mortality.
A higher BMI is associated with greater energy stores and a better nutritional state overall. This is really important when serious chronic health conditions are developed like chronic heart failure or cancer.
For a healthy older adult, the standard BMI ranges from 23 to 29. This recommended value is noticeably different from the general population.
Anyone who would like to ask me a medical question relating to the health of older adults can email me at questions@apexmedicalgroup.org. I hope to provide a helpful answer in a future issue of this newspaper.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this column is based on current practice guidelines but is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
Dr. Arvindselvan Mohanaselvan, M.D., is a physician board-certified in internal medicine with a subspecialty in geriatrics. He currently works at Apex Medical Group as a primary care and geriatric medicine provider. Email questions for Paging the Doctor on Call to questions@apexmedicalgroup.org.
