Cut-off point of BMI and obesity-related comorbidities and mortality in middle-aged Koreans

Sang Woo Oh, Soon Ae Shin, Young Ho Yun, Taiwoo Yoo, Bong Yul Huh

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153 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The need for a lower BMI to classify overweight in Asian populations has been controversial. Using both disease and mortality outcomes, we investigated whether lower BMI cut-off points are appropriate for identifying increased health risk in Koreans. Research Methods and Procedures: We conducted a cohort study among 773,915 men and women from 30 to 59 years old with 8-to 10-year follow-up periods. Primary outcomes were change of obesity prevalence, obesity-related disease incidence, and all-cause mortality. Results: Prevalence of overweight (BMI of 25.0-29.9) has steadily increased (1.3% annually), whereas obesity (BMI≤ 30) showed a lower prevalence and only a slight increase (0.1%-0.2% annually). Our study revealed that dose-response relationships exist between obesity and related disease incidences (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) beginning at lower BMI levels than previously reported. Compared with those in the healthy weight range, Koreans with a BMI≤ 25 were not at greater risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia than has been reported for whites in similar studies. Obesity-related all-cause mortality also did not seem so different from that of whites. Discussion: Our findings did not support the use of a lower BMI cut-off point for defining overweight in Koreans compared with whites for the purpose of identifying different risks. However, populations with BMI≤ 25 are rapidly increasing and have substantial risks of diseases. To preempt the rapid increases in obesity and related health problems that are occurring in Western countries, Korea should consider using a BMI of 25 as an action point for obesity prevention and control interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2031-2040
Number of pages10
JournalObesity Research
Volume12
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004

Keywords

  • Asia
  • BMI
  • Diabetes
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hypertension

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