Optimal BMI for IHD

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Hi folks:

" Body mass index and mortality from ischaemic heart disease in a lean

population: 10 year prospective study of 220,000 adult men. "

February 2006. PMID: 16258057.

Int J Epidemiol. 2006 Feb;35(1):141-50.

I may have posted this study previously. I now have a copy of the

full text. Surprising to me, it found that the lowest rates of IHD

in this large population studied in China occurred at BMIs between 20

and 22.

The rise in IHD at BMIs below 20 was NOT explained by smoking - the

data were similar for never-smokers - and applied for all aged groups

examined between 40 and 80; and the result was not affected by any

other variable studied including alcohol consumption.

Given the profile of the risk ratios it seems likely the optimal BMI

for IHD may be in the lower half of 20 to 22 BMI range.

Rodney.