A body mass index of 28 is considered overweight, but that may be a good thing for people aged 80 and older. A new study shows that for this demographic, a BMI of 28 is associated with the lowest mortality risk. According to physician Weng Pei-hsuan, being thin can be detrimental for older adults, as it weakens their ability to fight disease. But older adults should still pay attention to their waistlines, because with every 5 centimeter increase in waist circumference, the chances of dying from a heart disease will double.

In a hospital’s sports center, older adults follow a coach’s instructions, as they train the muscles of their hands and feet. Since muscle mass decreases with age, being either underweight or overweight can adversely affect health. So what body shapes and body mass indexes help you to live the longest?

Member of public
If you’re carrying too much fat, it is not good for your body. Your BMI should at least be lower than 25, but as mine has dropped to 20, I am very afraid of the cold in the winter.

Huang Hsuan
Physician
A bit of extra weight in an older adult can reduce the mortality rate by 4.5%.

According to a study published in the European Heart Journal, a BMI that’s overweight or mildly obese can benefit longevity in people aged 80 and above. For every increase in BMI of 1, the mortality risk is reduced by 4.5%, while a BMI of 28 is associated with the lowest risk of death. A slimmer waistline is also conducive to longevity: There is a positive correlation between waist circumference and deaths from cardiovascular disease. For every 5 centimeter increase in waist circumference, the risk of death from cardiovascular disease increases by 193%. Therefore maintaining a plump body shape with a small waist could be optimal for longevity.

Weng Pei-hsuan
Taiwan Adventist Hospital
People aged over 65 years old should not be too thin. If they are too thin, they will actually lose muscle and some capital for fighting illness. Therefore for these people, we can accept a BMI of around 27. If the waist circumference increases, the risk of cardiovascular diseases will markedly increase. Generally speaking, a woman’s waistline should be less than 80 centimeters. Men’s should be less than 90 centimeters.

Doctors say the secrets to longevity include daily exercise of 30 minutes, moderate strength training, and a diet rich in high-quality proteins such as eggs and milk. Don’t forget to get enough sleep, to increase your chances of a long and healthy life.

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