BMI and all-cause mortality: IPD meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies

Global BMI Mortality Collaboration · Lancet · 2016

Key finding

Vs BMI 22.5–<25: obesity 30–<35 HR 1.45; 35–<40 HR 1.94; 40–<60 HR 2.76

Evidence & causal status

Strong

Predominantly association; causal contribution plausible

Caveats & limitations

Reliability / bias notes: Muscle mass and fat distribution; low-BMI reverse causation

This describes a population-level association from published research. It is not a prediction about any one individual, and association is not the same as causation unless stated otherwise above.