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.

BMI is used everywhere in healthcare, but does the standard BMI chart really apply to older adults?

In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, registered dietitian and geriatric nutrition specialist Katie Dodd breaks down what BMI actually measures, where it came from, its limitations, and why BMI needs to be interpreted differently as we age.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What BMI is and how the standard adult BMI categories are defined

• The surprising history of BMI and why it was never originally designed as an individual health assessment

• Why BMI does not account for muscle mass, body composition, nutrition status, physical activity, or functional status

• What research tells us about BMI and mortality in adults over age 65

• Why a BMI traditionally classified as "overweight" may be associated with lower mortality risk in older adults

• Why unintended weight loss, malnutrition, and muscle loss are especially important considerations with aging

• Why healthcare providers should look at the whole person instead of automatically recommending weight loss based on BMI alone

The big takeaway: BMI is just one piece of information. It does not define someone's health, and when BMI is used in older adults, it needs to be interpreted in the context of aging.

This episode kicks off a five-part series on BMI in older adults. Next week, we'll dig deeper into optimal BMI for older adults and what the research tells us about why those numbers change after age 65.

Learn more from The Geriatric Dietitian:
BMI in the Elderly: What You Need to Know - The Geriatric Dietitian

Get the FREE Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast and share it with someone who would benefit from evidence-based nutrition information for healthy aging.

In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie is joined by registered dietitian Laura MacDonald, founder of The Seniors Dietitian, to talk about nutrition and dementia and practical ways caregivers can support their loved ones.

Laura shares how dementia can impact every part of eating- from recognizing hunger and planning meals to grocery shopping, preparing food, using utensils, chewing, swallowing, and maintaining a healthy appetite.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How dementia can affect eating, appetite, and nutrition
• Practical ways caregivers can support meals and food access
• Chewing and swallowing concerns and when to seek additional help
• Strategies for maintaining independence with eating
• Reduced appetite, unintended weight loss, and ways to make every bite count

Laura MacDonald is a registered dietitian and founder of The Seniors Dietitian. After more than a decade working in acute care with older adults, she developed a special interest in helping caregivers understand and navigate poor appetite, unintended weight loss, and other nutrition challenges associated with dementia.

Connect with Laura:

The Seniors Dietitian:
https://theseniorsdietitian.com/

Instagram:
@TheSeniorsDietitian

Free Nutrition Guides for Seniors & Caregivers:
https://the-seniors-dietitian.kit.com/3918450b79

Laura is also developing Feeding with Confidence, a comprehensive course designed to help caregivers navigate nutrition, low appetite, unintended weight loss, and eating changes throughout the progression of dementia.

Get the FREE Healthy Aging Nutrition Guide:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/

Learn more at The Geriatric Dietitian:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/