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Weight loss from maximum body weight and mortality: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 1044–1050 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this longitudinal study is to examine the relationship between weight loss from maximum body weight, body mass index (BMI), and mortality in a nationally representative sample of men and women.

Design:

Longitudinal cohort study.

Subjects:

In all, 6117 whites, blacks, and Mexican-Americans 50 years and over at baseline who survived at least 3 years of follow-up, from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality Files (1988–1994 with passive mortality follow-up through 2000), were included.

Measurements:

Measured body weight and self-reported maximum body weight obtained at baseline. Weight loss (maximum body weight minus baseline weight) was categorized as <5%, 5–<15%, and ⩾15%. Maximum BMI (reported maximum weight (kg)/measured baseline height (m)2) was categorized as healthy weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25.0–29.9), and obese (⩾30.0).

Results:

In all, 1602 deaths were identified. After adjusting for age, race, smoking, health status, and preexisting illness, overweight men with weight loss of 15% or more, overweight women with weight loss of 5–<15%, and women in all BMI categories with weight loss of 15% or more were at increased risk of death from all causes compared with those in the same BMI category who lost <5%; hazard ratios ranged from 1.46 to 2.70. Weight loss of 5–<15% reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases among obese men.

Conclusions:

Weight loss of 15% or more from maximum body weight is associated with increased risk of death from all causes among overweight men and among women regardless of maximum BMI.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Elsie Pamuk and Katherine Flegal for their insightful comments and suggestions during preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Analysis and Epidemiology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD, USA

    D D Ingram

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    M E Mussolino

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  1. D D Ingram
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  2. M E Mussolino
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Correspondence to D D Ingram.

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Ingram, D., Mussolino, M. Weight loss from maximum body weight and mortality: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File. Int J Obes 34, 1044–1050 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.41

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