Older Chinese with high blood pressure may live longer if slightly heavier
Hypertension modifies the associations of body mass index and waist circumference with all-cause mortality among older Chinese: a retrospective cohort study
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
For older Chinese, having a bit more weight might help them live longer, especially if they have high blood pressure. Being too thin increases death risk. For those with high blood pressure, being in the obese range (BMI 28-30) was safest. For those without high blood pressure, being overweight (BMI 26-28) was safest.
Surprising Findings
Central obesity linked to lower mortality risk
Contradicts decades of public health messaging that waist circumference is always a health risk
Practical Takeaways
Hypertensive seniors should avoid extreme weight loss; maintain BMI 28-30 if possible
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
For older Chinese, having a bit more weight might help them live longer, especially if they have high blood pressure. Being too thin increases death risk. For those with high blood pressure, being in the obese range (BMI 28-30) was safest. For those without high blood pressure, being overweight (BMI 26-28) was safest.
Surprising Findings
Central obesity linked to lower mortality risk
Contradicts decades of public health messaging that waist circumference is always a health risk
Practical Takeaways
Hypertensive seniors should avoid extreme weight loss; maintain BMI 28-30 if possible
Publication
Journal
BMC Geriatrics
Year
2022
Authors
K. Bai, Xuejiao Chen, Zhan Shi, K. He, Xueqi Hu, R. Song, Wenlong Shi, Qingfeng Tian, Songhe Shi
Related Content
Claims (10)
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 with high blood pressure who have a larger waist size (over 90 cm for men or 85 cm for women) are less likely to die from any cause compared to those with normal waist size.
Older Chinese people without high blood pressure who have a larger waist size (over 90 cm for men or 85 cm for women) are slightly less likely to die from any cause compared to those with normal waist size.
Older Chinese people without high blood pressure who are underweight (BMI below 18.5) are much more likely to die from any cause compared to those with a normal weight.
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.