Do Women In There Early Sixties Have A Higher Recommended Body Weight Then They Would Have Had When Younger?
I’m asking this question for my mother. In her thirtys she was 118 pounds, she gained a great deal of weight following a nasty case of depression. A year and a half ago she decided to try to get back into shape. She had a great deal of success and started feeling much healthier but now her doctor is telling her that her correct body weight has gone up to 148 despite the fact that when she weighed that much she felt less healthy then she does now at 120. Her research and mine indicate that she is a healthy weight and she wants to know what is gong on here?
I think your mother is right and her doctor is nuts.
If she feels good and has energy, is fit and eats a sensible diet she is fine.
I am past 60 now and weigh less than I ever did in my prime.
My only reservation is about the reason for her doctor’s statement. Has she dieted too rigorously? Is she eating a good mixed diet?
I think that you or she (both of you together?) should ask why this advice was given.
We don’t know your mother or her medical history. Better to talk to someone who does.
Hi. You moms height would have helped a lot, so a few guesses here. I am assuming her height is between 5′4″ and 5′7″
As you age a lot of change take place in the body including muscle degrading, weakness in the immune system, arthritis etc etc etc. Youth gives you a certain level of resiliance which is lost with age so I am guessing your moms doctor is trying to build in buffer against illness and promote eating which hopefully fuel some light exercise.
The lighter you are the less you need to eat to maintain your current weight, the less you eat the more likely you are to get the nutrition you need. If there is a history of anemia, calcium defeciency or other that would be likely to have an impact on your mothers health then that too could be a driver. Fat also acts as a mild shock absorber so does have some beneifts.
In my opinion I would suggest your mom follow the docs instructions and gain weight if that is within her healthy range.