Overweight, obesity linked to higher death risk

 06/03/2011  (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study suggests that overweight and obesity can increase risk of dying from various diseases including cancer, heart attack and stroke, and diabetes. The study in the May 2011 issue of Journal of Formosan Medical Association showed people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 26.9 kg/m2 were 28 percent more likely to die. The increase in those with a BMI of 27 or higher kg/m2 was 46 percent. L.C. Hwang and colleagues from Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College in Taipei, Taiwan analysed data collected from 6,603 men and women aged 20 to 65 years during a 24-year follow-up and found the associations. At the baseline, the average BMI was 22.7 kg/m2.  During the follow-up, 1,896 men and women or 28.7 percent of the study population died. The researchers found the positive associations were observed in those who died from diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer. To be specific, the net increase in the risk of dying from diabetes was 93 percent among those who had a BMI of 23 to 24.9 kg/m2 or higher, 159 percent among those who had had a BMI of 25  to 26.9 kg/m2 and 203 percent among those who had a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher. Hwang et al. concluded that a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or higher was correlated with increased mortality from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.  A BMI of 25 or higher kg/m2 can be used to predict the risk for all-cause mortality and a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher can be used to predict death risk from cancer.