Mixed
Among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with a significantly lower risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke, contradicting the standard assumption that obesity increases stroke risk in this population.
If you have type 2 diabetes, standard advice often pushes for weight loss to reduce health risks. However, this large study suggests that for diabetic patients, having a higher BMI (up to 40+) might actually be linked to a lower risk of stroke compared to having a normal or low BMI. This doesn't mean you should ignore your health, but it highlights that the 'obesity paradox' exists in diabetes. Focus on metabolic health markers (like blood sugar and blood pressure) rather than just the number on the scale, and discuss these specific findings with your doctor to tailor your care plan.
The present study demonstrates an inverse association between BMI and stroke risk among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (n=29,554), long follow-up (8.3 years), rigorous adjustment for confounders, but observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Body Mass Index and Stroke Risk Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Weiqin Li et al. · Stroke · 2014
DOI 10.1161/strokeaha.114.006718
Related findings · Mixed
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