Nearly half of older Chinese people in this study had multiple health risks like high blood pressure or diabetes, with slightly more women affected than men.

For older Chinese men, measuring body mass index, waist size, or waist-to-height ratio all work about equally well to predict if someone has three or more health risks like high blood pressure or diabetes.

For older Chinese women, body mass index and waist size are equally good at predicting multiple health risks, but waist-to-height ratio is slightly less accurate.

Older Chinese people with high blood pressure who are obese (BMI 28 or higher) are less likely to die from any cause compared to those with a normal weight.

Older Chinese people without high blood pressure who are obese (BMI 28 or higher) do not have a significantly different risk of dying from any cause compared to those with a normal weight.

Older Chinese people without high blood pressure who are overweight (BMI between 24 and 28) are less likely to die from any cause compared to those with a normal weight.