Study of 6,905 Older Adults Finds High Waist Raises Death Risk 24% Despite Normal BMI
Updated
Updated · SBS News · Aug 22
Study of 6,905 Older Adults Finds High Waist Raises Death Risk 24% Despite Normal BMI
3 articles · Updated · SBS News · Aug 22
Summary
A 14-year U.S. study tracking 6,905 adults aged 65 and older found waist circumference flagged mortality risk that BMI alone often missed, especially among people whose BMI fell in the normal range.
Waists above 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women were linked to a 24% higher mortality hazard regardless of BMI; normal-BMI men with high waists faced 33% higher risk and women 23% higher.
BMI alone produced a more confusing pattern: overweight men had a 46% lower mortality hazard than normal-BMI men, and overweight women 27% lower, while being underweight nearly doubled risk in both sexes.
Researchers said the findings do not show obesity is protective; they argue BMI should be paired with waist size, muscle mass, body composition and overall health when assessing older adults.