Mixed
In women, higher body mass index (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) and significant adult weight gain (≥11 kg from age 18) are strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, whereas obesity is inversely associated with hemorrhagic stroke.
For women, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding significant weight gain from young adulthood are crucial for preventing ischemic stroke. While being lean might slightly increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (especially if you smoke or have high blood pressure), the overall risk of ischemic stroke rises sharply with higher BMI and weight gain. Focus on stable, healthy weight management and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol to mitigate these risks.
women with increased BMI (≥27kg/m2) had significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke... For hemorrhagic stroke there was a nonsignificant inverse relation between obesity and hemorrhagic stroke... weight gain from age 18 years until 1976 was associated with an RR for ischemic stroke of 1.69... for a gain of 11 to 19.9 kg and 2.52... for a gain of 20 kg or more
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (N=116,759), long follow-up (16 years), rigorous medical record verification of stroke subtypes, and multivariate adjustments.
Source
A Prospective Study of Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Risk of Stroke in Women
Kathryn M. Rexrode · JAMA · 1997
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