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BMI was predictor of overall mortality

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Mortality rates were higher among adults with a BMI higher than the ideal range in a data analysis from 57 prospective studies that included 894,576 people.

The mean BMI was 25 and the mean age was 46 years. The lowest mortality rate was among those with a BMI 22.5 to 25. The absolute excess risks for smoking and BMI >22.5 to 25 were roughly additive, according to the researchers.

An increase of 30% for overall mortality was linked to every 5 kg/m² higher than ideal BMI (HR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.27-1.32).

BMI <22.5 to 25 was inversely linked to overall mortality. The associations were stronger among smokers vs. nonsmokers, according to the researchers.

There was an increase of 40% for vascular mortality (HR=1.41; 95% CI, 1.37-1.45) and 60% to 120% for diabetic (HR=2.16; 95% CI, 1.89-2.46), renal (HR=1.59; 95% CI, 1.27-1.99) and hepatic (HR=1.82; 95% CI, 1.59-2.09) mortality.

For neoplastic mortality, the increase was 10% (HR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.15). For respiratory (HR=1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.34) and all other mortality (HR=1.20; 95% CI, 1.16-1.25), the increase was 20%.

Median survival was reduced by two to four years for BMI 30 to 35, and by eight to 10 years for BMI 40 to 45, according to the researchers.

Lancet. 2009;doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60318-4.