{"id":1131,"date":"2025-04-18T18:12:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T17:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilatesfitness.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1131"},"modified":"2025-04-18T18:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T17:12:43","slug":"should-over-65s-be-heavier-for-better-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pilatesfitness.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1131","title":{"rendered":"Should over 65s be heavier for better health?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I have recently come across several articles telling over 65s to build some “buffer weight”, i.e. put on some weight as they get older… to be HEALTHIER [1][2]. Contradiction in terms? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it really a great idea to aim for a higher BMI when we get older?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or is it rubbish health advice? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Worried about your BMI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BMI is not a good measure of your weight or health. It does not check if most of your weight is from fat or muscle: most body builders have a BMI in the obese range !!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BMI correlates with weight, not with healthy weight or lean mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Older Person BMI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several organisations have come up with the brilliant idea of defining an “Older person’s BMI” [3], where the BMI aimed for for over 65s is higher than for younger people. It is a rather questionable idea built atop the questionable BMI altar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is most older people lack muscle mass, rather than “weight”. So, instead, we need to address the relative lack of muscle (technical term: sarcopenia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) How to increase muscle mass? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n