Danish Researchers:
Overweight Individuals Have a Lower Risk of Early Death Than Those Who Are Underweight
A new study has found that being overweight may not necessarily be an "enemy of health." A Danish research team confirmed that individuals who are slightly heavier than the normal weight range have a lower risk of early death compared to those who are underweight. On the other hand, being excessively thin was shown to significantly increase the risk of early death, revealing that the relationship between weight and health is not as straightforward as commonly believed.
A study has found that overweight individuals may have a lower risk of death compared to those who are underweight. This is a stock photo provided to aid understanding of the article and is not directly related to the content. Getty Images
A joint research team from the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark analyzed the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and mortality by tracking the health data of 85,761 adult men and women over an extended period. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height squared (m²), with values below 18.5 classified as underweight, 18.5-25 as normal, 25-30 as overweight, and 30 or above as obese.
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The analysis found that individuals in the overweight category did not have a higher risk of early death compared to those at the upper boundary of the normal weight range. In fact, people with a BMI in the middle to lower range of normal (18.5-22.5), as well as those classified as underweight, had a higher likelihood of early death. The underweight group faced a 2.73 times greater risk of early death compared to those at the upper end of the normal range. Of course, individuals with severe obesity (BMI of 40 or higher) also had more than double (2.1 times) the risk of early death compared to those within the normal weight range.
In contrast, being overweight or having mild obesity (BMI 30-35) did not show a significant difference from the upper end of the normal range. However, severe obesity (BMI of 40 or higher) was associated with a 2.1 times higher risk of death, while those with a BMI of 35-40 saw a 23% increase in risk. This aligns with previous research indicating that obesity beyond a certain level negatively affects health. The research team noted that mortality did not increase up to a BMI of 35, and even in the 35-40 range, the increase in risk was relatively small.
Sigrid Bjerge Gribsholt, a professor at Aarhus University Hospital who led the study, explained, "Both underweight and obesity are global public health challenges. Obesity can lead to metabolic disorders, weakened immunity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, while being underweight can result in malnutrition and immune suppression." She added, "This study shows that being 'fat but fit' is actually possible. When setting treatment goals for obesity, it is necessary to take a personalized approach that considers fat distribution and comorbidities, rather than focusing solely on weight numbers."
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