BMI Calculator For Seniors

At the bottom of my yearly doctor’s report, it lists ‘BMI.’

What is it?

We’ll explain and share a free BMI calculator for seniors that will tell you where you fall on the BMI chart.

What Is BMI?

BMI is our body mass index, which is a measure of body fat based on our height and weight.

Instead of just looking at the number on the scale, BMI uses a ratio of height to weight to determine how much body fat we are carrying.

A senior BMI calculator doesn’t just tell us how heavy or light we are; it offers important clues about our overall health that can help guide our fitness goals.

Why Use A BMI Calculator For Seniors?

BMI is a more accurate gauge than weight alone to help professionals determine who might be at a higher risk for health concerns such as heart disease, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, just to name a few.

Although BMI is not a perfect measure in all cases, it is a great starting point to know if you are one of the estimated 34% of Americans who fall into the overweight or obese categories.

Of course, BMI isn’t the only predictor of future health. Where you carry that fat is a factor as well.

Fat that accumulates around the waist and chest tends to be more dangerous than fat around the hips and thighs.

Per the CDC, this type of fat, especially visceral fat, contributes to a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

I highly recommend taking a few minutes to research visceral fat.

You’ll get a much better handle on the dangers of this accumulation of fat. For me, it’s a good motivator to stay on track with my diet and exercise routine!

Nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices are all of importance.

So, if you want to be on top of your health, grab a tape measure and figure out your true height, then hop on the scale to find your current weight.

Plug the numbers into the handy senior BMI calculator below to find your number.

BMI Categories

The Mayo Clinic outlines the following categories that BMI numbers fall into:

Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Being educated and taking charge of your health is all part of FEELING GOOD!

How To Lower Your BMI

If your BMI is in a problematic range and you’re ready to take steps to lower it, focus on a combination of a healthier diet and more physical activity.

The CDC recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

We have an entire fitness library of free videos that can help you hit that benchmark, but here are a few favorites to start with:

You don’t have to be perfect every day. Just get moving and your body will thank you!