Myth: Maximally underweight, overweight, and obese BMI scores do not increase the risk of death from any cause.
Truth: This is false.
Although previous studies have been conflicting on BMI score and mortality, a recent study found that maximally underweight, overweight, and obese BMI scores do increase the risk of death from any cause compared to maximally normal-weight BMI scores.
Body Mass Index is the ratio of a person’s weight in kilograms to their squared height in metres. Underweight is categorized by a BMI measurement of less than 18.5, normal weight is categorized by a BMI measurement between 18.5-24.9, overweight is categorized by a BMI between 25.0-29.9, obese I is between 30.0-34.9, and obese II is categorized as a BMI measurement of more than 35.
Read more about BMI scores and the risk of death from any cause here.
Reference
- Yu E, Ley SH, Manson JE, et al. Weight History and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Three Prospective Cohort Studies. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(9):613-620. doi:10.7326/M16-1390
