Overweight people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 are said to be healthier than others and have a lower death rate from all causes, according to the results of a study. study published in the medical journal JAMA.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) carried out a large-scale study with three population groups chosen between the 1970s and 2000s: the 13,704 participants in the Copenhagen cardiovascular study of 1976-1978, the 9,482 individuals from that of 1991-1994, and the 97,362 people of the Copenhagen general population study from 2003 to 2013. The study was carried out until 2014.
Without explaining the phenomenon, the researchers found that, regardless of the group of participants, theBMI optimal would be 27. It would correspond to the lowest all-cause mortality rate. Between 1976 and 1978, theBMI perfect was 23.7.
BMI is calculated by dividing her weight by her height squared. Between 18.5 and 25, the score is considered normal. Less than 18.5, it indicates thinness, more than 25, overweight.
Overweight and good health
In reaction to this study, Professor Naveed Sattar, of the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), comments, these results “certainly interesting, do not change advice on obesity, its treatment and prevention” .
“In recent years, as populations have grown larger, access to inexpensive treatments to treathypertension, excess cholesterol and adult diabetes helped reduce the risk of death, “he points out. In other words,” the results of this study do not mean that being overweight reduces the risk of mortality “, concludes Professor Sattar.
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