Lowest risk of death in women associated with body mass index (BMI) of 21 to 23.4

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Friday, May 30, 2008 6:11 am Email this article
The lowest risk of death in women is associated with a body mass index (BMI) of 21-23.4 according to a new study from the National Cancer Institute located in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Underweight

Underweight increases risk 7%, severely underweight increases risk 43%

Being slightly underweight, defined as having a BMI of 18.5-20.9, increases the risk of death by 7 percent, whereas being considerably underweight, defined as having a BMI of less than 18.5, increases the risk of death by 43 percent.

For a woman 5-feet-4-inches tall, 108 pounds would give her a BMI of 18.5, whereas 122 pounds would give her a BMI of 20.9.

 

Overweight

Overweight increases risk 20%

Being overweight increases the risk of death by 20-23 percent.

Overweight is defined as having a BMI of 25-29.9.

For a woman 5-feet-4-inches tall, 145 pounds would give her a BMI of 25, and 174 pounds would give her a BMI of 29.9.

 

Obese

Obesity increases risk 60%

Being obese increases the risk of death by 60 percent.

Obesity is defined has having a BMI of 30-34.9.

For a woman 5-feet-4-inches tall, 175 pounds would give her a BMI of 30, and 203 pounds would give her a BMI of 34.9.

 

Severe Obesity

Severe Obesity increases risk 60%

Being obese increases the risk of death by 60 percent.

Severe obesity is defined has having a BMI of 35 or more.

For a woman 5-feet-4-inches tall, 203 pounds would give her a BMI of 35.

 

Preexisting Conditions

Preexisting conditions did not change the relationship

“There was little evidence that pre-existing conditions (heart disease, diabetes and/or cancer) or smoking history modified the past BMI and mortality relation,” the researchers noted.

 

Subjects

Subjects : 50,186 women aged 40-93

The study involved 50,186 women who were 40- to 93-years old when the study started in 1987-1989.

BMI Table

A BMI Table can be found here.

REFERENCE

Moore S, Mayne S, Graubard B, Schatzkin A, Albanes D, Schairer C, Hoover R, Leitzmann M. Past body mass index and risk of mortality among women. Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 May, 32(5):730-39.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

S. Moore
Nutritional Epidemiology Branch
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services
Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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