People whose maximum body mass index (BMI) over 16 years was in the overweight range (BMI of 25-29.9) were 6% more likely to die than people whose maximum BMI was in the normal range (BMI of 18.5–24.9) during an average follow-up of 12 years according to data from the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study which included 225,072 men and women.

However, when they only looked a person’s weight at the beginning of the study, being overweight (BMI of 25-29.9) was associated with a 4% lower risk of death during the 12 year follow-up.

However, when they included maximum BMI, they found an increased risk of death.

People whose maximum body mass index (BMI) over 16 years was in the obese I range (BMI of 30-34.99) were 24% more likely to die than people whose maximum BMI was in the normal range (BMI of 18.5–24.9) during an average follow-up of 12 years according to data from the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study which included 225,072 men and women.

People whose maximum body mass index (BMI) over 16 years was in the obese II range (BMI of 35 or more) were 73% more likely to die than people whose maximum BMI was in the normal range (BMI of 18.5–24.9) during an average follow-up of 12 years according to data from the Nurses’ Health Study I and II and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study which included 225,072 men and women.

In people over 65-years-old, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 to 23.9 was associated with the lowest risk of dying over the next 12 years according to a review of 32 studies.

Being leaner than this was associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 20 to 20.9 were 19% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 21 to 21.9 were 12% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

Not until a person weighed considerably more than this, was it associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

“For older populations, being overweight was not found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, there was an increased risk for those at the lower end of the recommended BMI range for adults,” the authors concluded.

In people over 65-years-old, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 to 23.9 was associated with the lowest risk of dying over the next 12 years according to a review of 32 studies.

Being leaner than this was associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 20 to 20.9 were 19% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 21 to 21.9 were 12% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

Not until a person weighed considerably more than this, was it associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

“For older populations, being overweight was not found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, there was an increased risk for those at the lower end of the recommended BMI range for adults,” the authors concluded.

In people over 65-years-old, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 to 23.9 was associated with the lowest risk of dying over the next 12 years according to a review of 32 studies.

Being leaner than this was associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 20 to 20.9 were 19% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 21 to 21.9 were 12% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

Not until a person weighed considerably more than this, was it associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

“For older populations, being overweight was not found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, there was an increased risk for those at the lower end of the recommended BMI range for adults,” the authors concluded.

In people over 65-years-old, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 to 23.9 was associated with the lowest risk of dying over the next 12 years according to a review of 32 studies.

Being leaner than this was associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 20 to 20.9 were 19% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 21 to 21.9 were 12% more likely to die over the next 12 years.
• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

Not until a person weighed considerably more than this, was it associated with a greater risk of dying.

• Those with a BMI of 33 to 33.9 were 8% more likely to die over the next 12 years.

“For older populations, being overweight was not found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, there was an increased risk for those at the lower end of the recommended BMI range for adults,” the authors concluded.