An international study reveals that the lowest mortality rates correspond to non-smokers with a body mass index between 20 and 24.9 . Details are published in the New England Journal of Medicine .
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that relates the weight to the height of an individual. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a normal BMI is currently considered to be in the range of 18.5 to 24.9.
Analyzing the results of 19 long-term studies, researchers from the National Cancer Institute of the United States and a dozen institutions around the world have shown that overweight women (BMI between 25 and 29.9) and non-smokers had 13% more risk of dying. When the BMI was between 30.0 and 34.9 (obesity) the risk increased to 44% And for people with severe obesity (35.0 to 39.9) the mortality rose to 88%. On average, in men and women, for every 5 points increase in BMI, a 31% increase in the risk of mortality was observed. In addition, the study figures suggest that this risk increases for people who are obese or overweight before their 50th birthday.
