What if you're over 65 and you actually want to lose weight?

In this final episode of our five-part BMI series, we take a closer look at intentional weight loss in older adults and why the decision is more nuanced than simply looking at a number on the scale or a BMI chart.

We'll discuss why standard BMI categories may not tell the whole story after age 65, why weight history and weight stability matter, and why preserving muscle should be a major priority if intentional weight loss is pursued.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why BMI alone shouldn't determine whether an older adult needs to lose weight

• Why usual body weight and weight stability matter

• How weight loss can include both fat and muscle loss

• Why muscle is so important for strength, mobility, function, and independence

• Why protein and resistance exercise are especially important during intentional weight loss

• Why protein intake throughout the day may help support muscle

• How malnutrition and sarcopenic obesity can occur even in someone living in a larger body

• Why overall health, nutrition, strength, and function matter more than chasing a specific number on the scale

The big takeaway from this entire BMI series: preserve muscle.

If intentional weight loss is appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare team and consider working with a geriatric dietitian who can help you look at the bigger picture.

Visit The Geriatric Dietitian:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/

Get my FREE healthy aging nutrition resource:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.myflodesk.com/

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Unintentional weight loss in older adults is something we need to take seriously.

In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, Katie discusses why weight stability matters as we age and why losing weight without trying can be a warning sign rather than something to celebrate.

This is Part 4 of the five-part BMI in Older Adults series.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why unintended weight loss in older adults is concerning

• How weight loss can contribute to muscle loss and loss of independence

• What is considered significant unintended weight loss

• Why gradual or insidious weight loss can still be a red flag

• The connection between weight loss, malnutrition, and mortality

• How the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is used to screen for malnutrition risk

• How dietitians assess muscle loss and nutrition status

• Why usual body weight and weight trends matter more than focusing on one number

• When weighing an older adult may not be appropriate

• Why preserving muscle should remain a priority

Katie also discusses why weight loss should be evaluated in the context of nutrition, muscle, strength, function, health status, and an individual's usual body weight.

Learn more at TheGeriatricDietitian.com.

Next week, we'll wrap up the BMI in Older Adults series by discussing what older adults should consider when they intentionally want or need to lose weight.

When it comes to healthy aging, the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story.

In this episode of The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast, we're talking about sarcopenia - the loss of muscle that occurs with aging - and why preserving muscle is so important for older adults.

We'll look at the relationship between muscle mass, function, independence, falls, frailty, and mortality. We'll also discuss sarcopenic obesity and why someone can live in a larger body while still having inadequate muscle mass.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What sarcopenia is and why it matters

• Why weight and BMI don't tell us about body composition

• What sarcopenic obesity means

• How muscle loss can impact function, independence, and mortality

• Why weight loss isn't always a positive outcome in older adults

• Why preserving muscle should be a priority as we age

This episode is part three of a five-part series on BMI in older adults.

Learn more about BMI in older adults:
https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/bmi-in-the-elderly/

Thanks for listening to The Geriatric Dietitian Podcast!