Obesity, low BMI linked to increased risk of death, study reveals

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Excessively high or low body mass index have been linked to an increased risk of causing major accidents, new research says.

The study, published Wednesday in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology and conducted by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, revealed that BMI is too important or too severe.

Krishnan Bhaskaran, lead author of the study and associate professor of statistical epidemiology, noted that his team found "important associations" between BMI and most causes of death.

"BMI is a key indicator of health. We know that BMI is linked to the risk of dying overall, but surprisingly little research has been conducted on the links to specific causes, "he said.

"We have filled this knowledge gap to help researchers, patients and doctors better understand how underweight and overweight can be associated with diseases such as cancer, respiratory disease and liver disease."

BMI is determined by a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.

The study authors say that they find that maintaining BMI in the range of 21 to 25 kg / m2 is linked to the lowest level of morbidity.

BMI has been shown to have a "J-shaped association" with nearly all causes of death, not only the most prevalent diseases. This means that BMIs are superior to the optimal range lead to increased risk of morbidity.

The study, which analyzed data from 3.6 million people and 367,512 deaths, showed that obesity, or BMI of 30 or more, was linked to an increased prevalence of two major causes of death: heart disease and cancer.

"BMI higher than 25, the highest end of healthy, is linked to most cancers, most cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, and liver and kidney conditions," Bhaskaran said.

Obesity has been shown to reduce life expectancy by 4.2 years in men and women, and it can contribute to other conditions.

The British Journal of Cancer is reported to be 7.5% of cancers in UK women.

The Cancer Research Research UK estimated that 23,000 women will deal with obesity-related cancers by 2035. Obesity will also become the most common cause of cancer in women by 2043 if trends continue.

The study also reveals that it is linked to a "surprising range of deaths," including dementia, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease and suicide.

However, Bhaskaran noted that links between low BMI and causes of death were more "observative," as it was less clear.

He also acknowledged the limitations of the study, which included a lack of information on the role of these individuals and the impact of these factors on morbidity.

He noted that the findings reiterated the importance of maintaining a BMI within the 21 to 25 range.

In particular, the results showed that the lowest risk of cardiovascular death was associated with a BMI of 25 kg / m2, with every additional 5 kg / m2 associated with a 29% increased risk of morbidity.

The lowest risk of cancer death was shown at a BMI of 21 kg / m2, with every additional 5 kg / m2 associated with a 13% increased risk of death.