BMI provides a benchmark, but it is not the only parameter to take into account.
Officially defined almost 30 years ago by the World Health Organization, the Body Mass Index or “BMI” is a formula that allows you to quickly assess a person’s corpulence and see if they have a “normal” weight, too low or too high in relation to their height. While this indicator can provide a benchmark to limit health risks, it is not always relevant and also has limitations. “C“It is a controversial tool because it does not take into account gender, age, amount of muscle, fat or bone weight,” Françoise Debuy, dietician and member of the Reflection Group on Obesity and Overweight (GROS), wants to re-establish. In other words, a very sporty person – with a lot of muscles – could be considered “obese” even though they are in perfect health.
As a guideline and according to the WHO, the reference BMI from the age of 60 should ideally be between 21 and 25 (compared to 18.5 to 25 in adults under 60). Below 21, there may be suspicion of malnutrition.But a BMI of 27-28 remains largely acceptable for a 60-year-old woman and is not necessarily worrying.“, the dietician puts things into perspective. For example, a 60-year-old woman who is 1.60 meters tall can weigh between 54 and 64 kilos, which corresponds to a BMI of 21 to 25. A BMI of 27-28 corresponds to weighing between 69 and 72 kilos for 1.60 meters. At this time of life, women lose muscle, their basic metabolism slows down, which can cause a slight weight gain. It is therefore normal that at 60, a woman is thicker and more corpulent than before menopause. The same goes for men, a BMI of 28-29 can be completely normal.
“For me, the “healthy” weight, also called the equilibrium weight, is much more relevant. In other words, it is the weight we have if we respect our food sensations (our hunger and our satiety)she continues. If we eat while respecting our hunger and satiety, we will know the right amount of what we need to eat, the weight regulates itself and remains generally stable. “While there are formulas that can be used to calculate our ideal weight, it is better to know the weight at which we feel “good” and which often allows us to be in good health.summarizes our interlocutor. Taken literally, without context or analysis, figures are rarely meaningful. Don’t hesitate to discuss them with your GP.”
Moreover, several doctors believe that waist size is a complementary indicator of BMI, relevant and predictive of a possible health problem because it can reflect excess abdominal fat surrounding the organs (heart, liver, pancreas, etc.) and can disrupt their proper functioning. Too much abdominal fat is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In France, health authorities define abdominal obesity as a waist size greater than or equal to 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men.