Is a lower BMI always better as we age? Not necessarily.

In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie takes a closer look at what the research actually shows about BMI and mortality in adults over age 65.

Research suggests that the BMI range associated with the lowest rates of mortality in older adults may be higher than the standard "normal" BMI range used for younger adults. Katie discusses why this matters, why unintended weight loss deserves attention, and why muscle, strength, function, and independence should be part of the conversation when evaluating weight in older adults.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✨ Why standard adult BMI categories may not tell the whole story for adults over 65
✨ What research shows about BMI and all-cause mortality in older adults
✨ Why a BMI around 27 was associated with the lowest mortality in a large meta-analysis
✨ Why unintended weight loss and muscle loss are important concerns with aging
✨ Why BMI should always be considered in the context of the individual

Katie also shares why she uses approximately 23 to 30 as the BMI range associated with the lowest rates of mortality in older adults, while emphasizing that BMI is only one piece of the overall picture.

Resources:

BMI in the Elderly: What You Need to Know
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/bmi-in-the-elderly/

Free Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide
https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/

The Geriatric Dietitian
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/

Be sure to subscribe to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast so you don't miss the rest of this five-part series on BMI and older adults. In the next episode, Katie discusses sarcopenia and why muscle matters so much as we age.