Healthy BMI Range for Seniors: How Much Should You Weigh?

BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. If you don't know your BMI, you can use the following BMI calculator to find out.

Several studies have found that being underweight at age 65 was linked to poor health and shorter life expectancy. Being overweight or obese at 65 was only rarely linked to worse health outcomes or lower life expectancy compared to those who were at a healthy weight at age 65.

Sometimes, in fact, older adults who are overweight or obese have better health outcomes. In fact, the lowest risk of mortality among older adults was found in the mid-normal, overweight, and lower obese ranges (between 23 and 33 BMI).

A Korean study collected data based on interviews with 542 people who had an average age of 74. Scientists discovered that health-related quality of life factors, such as social functioning, emotional health, and pain, are not made worse by a higher BMI in older adults.

A study of the Colombian population found that being underweight has been associated with reduced cognitive performance and daily functioning. Additionally, being overweight but not obese was associated with better cognition and daily functioning.  

Additional research suggests that older adults who do not have a low BMI enjoy more independence. In fact, a study published in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that older adults with BMIs over 30 did not experience a decline in activities of daily living.

Being underweight increases the risk of developing health problems, including nutritional deficiencies that cause medical problems—such as osteoporosis and anemia.

And a low BMI decreases your chances of recovering from illnesses and infections. For example, underweight stroke survivors have worse outcomes than stroke survivors who are overweight or average weight.

You can inadvertently lose weight if you have a chronic disorder that is associated with poor nutrition. Many conditions, such as cancer, gastrointestinal disease, and neurological disease can prevent older adults from eating or absorbing nutrients. This may lead to a low BMI, often for the first time in their lives.

There are no official recommendations on what the ideal weight range or BMI should be for people over 65. Experts recommend that every effort should be made to ensure older adults don't lose weight as a result of illness or poor nutrition.

Scientific data doesn't tell us what the ideal weight patterns are for a long life. But we do know from studying people who live to 100 that being a healthy weight seems to be an important part of living a long life.

When trying to stay healthy, you should work with your doctor to set the right goal for you. Despite what charts and calculators may say, the target BMI is not the same for everyone. You may need to factor in additional considerations.

If you have diabetes, for example, your doctor may recommend that you lose weight. But your doctor may ask you to try to eat more of certain foods if you have anemia.

As you get older, some situations make it more challenging to reach your target BMI. These factors include:

As you face these challenges, you may need the help of a nutritionist. A nutritionist can guide you as you set your calorie goals. Nutritionists can also help you decide whether you need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.

If you lose too many pounds, it may be a sign that you have a health issue that your doctor needs to investigate. It's important to take early action if you become underweight.

Your BMI is one of the indicators of your overall health. Doctors recommend most adults keep their BMI between 18 and 24.9. Adults with a BMI over 25 are considered overweight and a BMI over 30 is considered obese.

On the other hand, older adults do better if they have a BMI between 25 and 27. Research shows that adults over 65 who are underweight experience more health issues and shorter life expectancy.

A licensed nutritionist can help you determine the best diet plan for your health. They can also help you select vitamins and mineral supplements to improve your nutrition.

A person's waist circumference may be able to predict the risk of certain health conditions that occur later in life. For example, when more fat accumulates in the waist instead of the hips, it can signal a higher risk of experiencing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These risks are heightened in women with a waist size larger than 35 inches and in men with a waist size larger than 40 inches.

Cancer can cause weight loss for a few reasons. Loss of appetite, fatigue, decreased skeletal muscle, and a heightened metabolism are all common symptoms of cancer. Some cancer treatments can also lead to appetite loss by causing nausea, vomiting, loss of taste, and difficulty chewing and swallowing.