The nutritional status and self-evaluation of China’s older people aged 65 and above in 2015

ObjectiveTo analyze the current weight status and self-perception of weight among Chinese adults aged 65 and above using the data from the 2015 China Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance， and to provide basic data for guiding the elderly to correctly judge their weight and scientifically control it.MethodsBased on the questionnaire survey and physical examination data of adults aged 65 and above from the 2015 China Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. The body mass index （BMI） range of 20.0-26.9 kg/m² proposed in the Chinese Dietary Guidelines （2022） was used to evaluate the nutritional status of the elderly.ResultsIn 2015， the proportion of elderly Chinese with a BMI lower than 20 kg/m² was 14.6%， with 15.2% for males and 14.1% for females， and 10.2% for urban and 18.0% for rural areas， respectively. The proportion of elderly with a BMI higher than 27 kg/m² was 17.7%， with 15.1% for males and 20.1% for females， and 22.3% for urban and 14.1% for rural areas， respectively. Among the elderly with a BMI lower than 20 kg/m²， only 40.1% correctly perceived themselves as underweight. Among those with a BMI of 20.0-26.9 kg/m²， 75.4% correctly perceived their weight as normal. Among those with a BMI higher than 27 kg/m²， only 40.1% correctly perceived themselves as overweight/obese.ConclusionLow body weight among the elderly in China remains a concern， especially in rural areas. The accuracy rate of the elderly in judging their own weight status is relatively low， and their awareness of healthy weight needs to be improved.