No Specific Data on Hispanic Adults Over 80 with BMI 22-23 in Texas
There is no specific data available on the percentage of Hispanic adults aged over 80 in Texas who have a BMI of 22-23. The available evidence does not provide statistics on this specific demographic group with this precise BMI range.
What We Know About BMI in Hispanic Older Adults
Based on the available evidence, several important points can be made about BMI in Hispanic older adults:
Hispanic adults generally have higher rates of obesity compared to non-Hispanic whites, with Hispanic/LatinX populations having an obesity prevalence of 44.8% compared to 42.2% in non-Hispanic whites 1.
Recent research suggests that standard BMI cutoff points may not be appropriate for older Hispanic adults. A 2024 study proposed that a BMI cutoff point of ≥27.2 kg/m² may be more accurate for identifying obesity in older Hispanic adults, rather than the standard ≥30 kg/m² 2.
BMI measurements in Hispanic populations tend to underestimate the proportion with excess adiposity. Many Hispanics classified as non-obese by BMI would be classified as having obesity when measured by body fat percentage 3.
Body Composition Differences in Hispanic Adults
Hispanic ethnicity is associated with differences in body composition compared to non-Hispanic whites:
Hispanic women tend to have higher percentage body fat (38.4% compared with 34.9%) and higher BMI (25.2 compared with 23.9) than white women of similar socioeconomic status 4.
The relationship between body fat percentage and BMI is consistent across Hispanic/Latino backgrounds, but BMI consistently underestimates the proportion of Hispanics/Latinos with excess adiposity 3.
In older adults, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio may be better predictors of mortality risk than BMI in Mexican American adults 5.
Challenges in Determining Ideal BMI for Older Adults
For adults over 80 years of age, determining an "ideal" BMI is complicated by several factors:
The relationship between BMI and mortality in older adults often shows a "J-shaped curve," with higher mortality at both very low and very high BMI levels 1.
Age-related changes in body composition, including loss of lean mass and redistribution of fat, affect the interpretation of BMI in older adults.
Cultural and dietary acculturation factors influence body composition among Hispanic/Latino older adults in the United States 6.
Conclusion
While a BMI of 22-23 is generally considered within the normal weight range for adults, there is insufficient data to determine what percentage of Hispanic adults over 80 in Texas fall within this specific BMI range. The available evidence suggests that body composition in Hispanic older adults differs from non-Hispanic whites, and standard BMI cutoffs may not accurately reflect health risks in this population.