Mixed
In South Asians, the association between high BMI and cardiovascular disease mortality is weak and less pronounced than in East Asians, with increased risk only observed at very high BMI levels (>35).
For South Asians, the link between BMI and CVD risk is weaker than in East Asians, with significant risk increases primarily seen at very high BMIs (>35). However, because South Asians may carry more abdominal fat at lower BMIs, relying solely on BMI may be misleading. Focus on body composition and waist circumference rather than just weight, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to mitigate risks even at moderate BMIs.
In south Asians, the association between body mass index and mortality from cardiovascular disease was less pronounced than that in east Asians. South Asians had an increased risk of death observed for coronary heart disease only in individuals with a body mass index greater than 35 (hazard ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 3.12).
Why this rating
Large pooled analysis, but the effect size is weak and statistically significant only at the extreme end of the BMI distribution.
Source
Association between body mass index and cardiovascular disease mortality in east Asians and south Asians: pooled analysis of prospective data from the Asia Cohort Consortium
Yu Chen et al. · BMJ · 2013
DOI 10.1136/bmj.f5446
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- Low BMI (<17.5) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in East Asians, creating a U-shaped relationship with CVD death.Good
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