BMI Assessment for a 62-Year-Old Woman
No, this 62-year-old woman with a height of 164 cm and weight of 64 kg is not overweight; she falls within the normal/healthy weight range with a BMI of 23.8 kg/m².
BMI Calculation
Using the standard formula, her BMI is calculated as:
- Weight: 64 kg
- Height: 164 cm = 1.64 m
- BMI = 64 ÷ (1.64)² = 23.8 kg/m² 1
Weight Classification
This BMI of 23.8 kg/m² places her in the normal/healthy weight category (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), not the overweight category (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²). 2, 1
The standard BMI classifications established by major guidelines are:
- Normal/Healthy weight: BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² 2, 1
- Overweight: BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² 2, 1
- Obesity Class I: BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m² 2, 1
- Obesity Class II: BMI 35.0-39.9 kg/m² 2, 1
- Obesity Class III: BMI ≥40 kg/m² 2, 1
Health Risk Implications
Her current BMI is associated with the lowest cardiovascular and mortality risk profile:
The overweight category (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) is associated with elevated risk of fatal coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease compared to normal weight. 2
Among overweight and obese adults, higher BMI correlates with increased all-cause mortality, though the overweight category (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²) itself is not consistently associated with elevated all-cause mortality risk. 2
Even within the normal BMI range, higher values (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m²) show modestly increased coronary heart disease risk compared to lower normal values (BMI <21 kg/m²), though she remains in the healthiest overall category. 3
Clinical Recommendations
For individuals with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² without cardiovascular risk factors, the recommendation is to maintain current weight and avoid weight gain through regular weight monitoring and physical activity. 1
Additional assessment considerations:
Waist circumference should be measured as a complementary assessment of central adiposity. For women, waist circumference >88 cm (>35 inches) indicates increased cardiovascular risk independent of BMI. 2, 1, 4
If she were of Asian ethnicity, different thresholds would apply (overweight ≥23 kg/m², obesity ≥25 kg/m²) due to higher body fat percentages and cardiometabolic risks at lower BMI levels in Asian populations. 1, 5
Important Caveat
BMI has limitations as it does not distinguish between lean mass and fat mass, and may not correlate equally well with body fat across different age, sex, and ethnic groups. 1 However, for population-level screening and clinical assessment, it remains the standard metric endorsed by all major cardiovascular and obesity guidelines. 2, 1