Study: Any Extra Weight Lifts Death Rates

Even a little excess weight can increase your risk of death, according to a new study that analyzed past research. Researchers combined the results of 19 long-term studies on weight. They compared death rates to the person’s body mass index. BMI is a measurement of weight related to height. The lowest death rates were among people at the high end of normal weight. Their BMI ranged from 22.5 to 24.9. People with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight. The death rates were 13% higher in this group. Death rates were 44% to 88% higher for people who were obese, with a BMI of 30 to 39.9. For those who were morbidly obese, with a BMI of 40 or more, death rates were 150% higher than for normal-weight people. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study. The Associated Press wrote about it December 3.