Final answer:
False. The BMI standard has limitations since it does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass, potentially misclassifying athletes as obese and the elderly as less overweight than they truly are.
Step-by-step explanation:
The BMI (Body Mass Index) standard is not an excellent tool for evaluating obesity in athletes and the elderly. This is because BMI calculations are based on height and weight but do not account for muscle mass, which weighs more than fat. Athletes might have high BMI readings due to this greater muscle mass, classifying them as overweight or obese despite being in excellent physical condition. Similarly, the elderly might have lower BMI due to loss of bone mass, like in osteoporosis, which could underestimate the body fat percentage. Therefore, when considering obesity in athletes and the elderly, additional measurements and assessments beyond BMI are required for an accurate health evaluation.