Research
Mixed
Low BMI (underweight) is associated with increased mortality primarily due to respiratory diseases, while high BMI (overweight/obese) is associated with increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Your weight matters for different reasons depending on where you are. If you are underweight, you are at higher risk for respiratory diseases like TB and COPD. If you are overweight or obese, you are at higher risk for heart disease and cancer. Aim for a BMI of 23-24.9 to minimize both risks.
StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
The risk of death from respiratory causes was higher among subjects with a lower BMI, and the risk of death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or cancer was higher among subjects with a higher BMI.
Why this rating
Large cohort allows for specific cause-of-death analysis.
Source
Body-Mass Index and Mortality in Korean Men and Women
Sun Ha Jee et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2006
cohort · n=1213829Cited 852×
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