Obesity paradox or inappropriate study designs? Time for life-course epidemiology
RIS ID
124138
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality [1]. On the basis of individuals' level of BMI, this relationship is characterized by a J-shape with the nadir - that is, the point of the highest survival rate - around 22.5- 25 kg/m2. Paradoxically, among patients with established CVD, this relationship seems to change in such a way that the nadir shifts to the right, with levels of BMI belonging to the overweight-obese categories apparently conferring the highest survival benefit (Fig. 1) the obesity paradox.
Publication Details
Ferreira, I. & Stehouwer, C. D. A. (2012). Obesity paradox or inappropriate study designs? Time for life-course epidemiology. Journal of Hypertension, 30 (12), 2271-2275.