Mixed
Higher body weight is associated with increased longevity and lower all-cause mortality, with the nadir of the mortality curve occurring at weights above the cohort mean.
Do not assume that losing weight will automatically extend your life, especially if you are already in a healthy or slightly overweight range. The data suggests that for many adults, maintaining a weight slightly above the statistical 'mean' may be associated with better survival outcomes, potentially due to metabolic reserves or socioeconomic factors. Focus on overall health markers and lifestyle rather than just the number on the scale, and be wary of extreme weight loss without medical necessity.
In the Pooling Project, the relationship between weight and all-cause mortality was U-shaped, with the nadir of the curve occurring at weights above the cohort mean. In the Norway study, the nadir of the mortality curve occurred at weights above, not below, the cohort mean.
Why this rating
The paper critiques the methodology of the primary studies (Manson et al.) and highlights selection bias and confounding variables, reducing the certainty of the causal claim.
Source
Body Weight and Longevity
John W. Beasley · JAMA · 1987
DOI 10.1001/jama.1987.03390140065010
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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