Mar2015_A bit fatter is better when you are older says dietitian Ngaire Hobbins
‘Australian Healthy Weight Week’ is February 16th – 22nd and during the week the Dietitian’s Association of Australia is promoting strategies to help all Australians achieve a bodyweight that will boost their health and vitality.
The author of the book Eat To Cheat Ageing, Ngaire Hobbins – a dietitian who specialises in the care of older Australians – warns people from their late 60s on to be aware that a ‘healthy weight’ once you are 65+ is not necessarily the same as what applies for younger adults.
Weight loss in these years can result in more harm than good.
Ngaire says on the Australian Healthy Weight website that a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23 and 28 is probably ideal for older adults – that is higher (heavier) than what is ideal for younger adults (when 19-25 is advised).
Ngaire has spent years researching the unique nutritional needs of older people to write Eat To Cheat Ageing. The science is clear, while being active remains essential to a productive and vital older life it’s those who are a bit heavier who fare best.
Being thin in older age (BMI below 22) is associated with a higher likelihood of dementia, of having a fall, of general poor health and even death.
Of course there are many people who are lean and active and that is ideal. As always, being active is the key and being very overweight or obese is a problem – but on average, it’s those people in their late 60s or beyond with a bit of extra padding who fare best as they move into later life.
And it is important to realise that weight loss that doesn’t also include a great exercise plan can do more harm than good. Weight lost unintentionally, or through dieting alone will cause loss of essential muscle. This muscle doesn’t just move you around, it supports immune function, wound repair, organ maintenance and brain function: so losing it can affect much more than your ability to get around.
Ngaire says: “I see it all too often – people over 70 who have taken on the latest diet trend and lost weight only to find themselves increasingly succumbing to more illness and not being able to do all they wish they could.”
“I want older people to remember that most popular health and diet advice is for people in their 30s, 40s or 50s, and that advice just does not apply to those closer to 70, 80 or 90.”
The answer of course is staying active and eating well, but don’t try to aspire to a BMI that is no longer for you.
Contact Ngaire: ph 0412433707
