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Weight and mortality in Finnish men
A Rissanen1, M Heliövaara, P Knekt
1Social Insurance Institution, Research Institute for Social Security, Helsinki, Finland.
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Both underweight and obesity increase mortality risk in men, with the highest risks observed at the extremes of body mass index (BMI). This U-shaped mortality curve highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for longevity.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used metric for assessing weight status.
- The relationship between BMI and mortality risk is complex and may vary across different populations and age groups.
- Previous studies have suggested a U-shaped or J-shaped association between BMI and all-cause mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of Finnish men.
- To investigate the relationship between BMI and cause-specific mortality, including cardiovascular diseases and non-cardiovascular diseases.
- To explore potential confounding factors influencing the BMI-mortality relationship.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 22,995 Finnish men aged 25 and over.
- Follow-up for a median of 12 years to record mortality events.
- Statistical analysis to examine the "U"-shaped distribution of all-cause mortality in relation to BMI categories.
Main Results:
- All-cause mortality exhibited a "U"-shaped distribution, with the highest rates observed in the thinnest (BMI < 19.0 kg/m2) and fattest (BMI >= 34.0 kg/m2) men.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality increased with higher BMI beyond the normal range, linked to biological risk factors.
- Mortality from non-cardiovascular diseases, including cancers, was inversely related to BMI across all ages.
Conclusions:
- Both underweight and overweight are detrimental to longevity in men, impacting different disease patterns.
- The elevated mortality in thin men is partly explained by smoking, social class, and antecedent disease, but other factors remain.
- Maintaining a healthy BMI is crucial for reducing overall mortality risk and promoting longevity.