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Many studies have shown a relation between body-mass index (BMI) and death that forms a J- or U-shaped curve — the so-called “obesity paradox.” However, BMI does not differentiate between fat and lean body mass. In this study, researchers used data from the U.S. Health Professionals Follow-up Study to determine associations between predicted fat and lean body mass and death in 38,000 men (age range, 40–75).
During mean follow-up of 21 years, 12,400 deaths occurred. A J-shaped curve was observed for BMI and all-cause death. However, when data were adjusted for multiple variables, a linear relation was observed between predicted fat mass and all-cause death and with deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Comp…