Validity of BMI, and age

yirara
yirara Posts: 10,685 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
If I look at BMI calculators in my country of origin I see that the optimal BMI range for my age (40) and gender (female) is 21-26, while others only give a range of 18.5-24.9 without differentiating between age groups. My BMI is just above 22, thus that's fine.

Besides that I question the validity based on body shape (I have very thin wrists, but wide shoulders, ribcage and pelvis) I also wonder what's the story with an age-adjusted BMI. Having only looked at age-adjusted calculators so far I was quite happy how far I got. But looking at international calculators I do wonder if that's true. Nah, I don't want to lose more weight! however it does make me wonder what the deal here is. I could understand older people having a bit more weight in case they get sick and need the energy to recover. Other than that... no idea.

Replies

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Never heard of age adjusted

    I also prefer waist measurement and body fat to BMI which is a population measure
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Don't people generally lose muscle mass as they age? Maybe that some how plays into the age-adjustment for BMI.

    I also read a thread on here where someone was talking about the "Asian BMI" vs. the "Western BMI." I don't put much stock in BMI; my husband in always "overweight," but his body fat % is in the lower end of normal.
  • mrsKOrtiz
    mrsKOrtiz Posts: 949 Member
    Many people use the body fat percentage rather than the BMI calculator. For the body fat % you'll need measurements of yourself!

    I think that is what you are speaking of.
  • Charlottesometimes23
    Charlottesometimes23 Posts: 687 Member
    BMI is adjusted up for people over 65 here in Australia. A healthy BMI is considered to be 23-30 kg/m^2
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 10,685 Member
    Well.. I have no way to properly determine my body fat. I think calculations end up quite a bit too high due to my wide hips. I also have strong legs and a rather well-trained butt. But a rather flat belly and thin waist- as thin as possible I guess with wide hips and ribs on either end and hardly any space inbetween. So that's no good way to determine this either. Oh, calipers are not availabe here and Amazon and co don't ship. That's basically useless as well.
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