• Jane E Winter, Robert J MacInnis, Naiyana Wattanapenpaiboon, and Caryl A Nowson.
• School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Melbourne, Australia (JEW, NW, and CAN); the Cancer Epidemiology Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (RJM); and the Centre for MEGA Epidemiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia (RJM).
• Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2014 Apr 1; 99 (4): 875-90.

BackgroundWhether the association between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality for older adults is the same as for younger adults is unclear.ObjectiveThe objective was to determine the association between BMI and all-cause mortality risk in adults ≥65 y of age.DesignA 2-stage random-effects meta-analysis was performed of studies published from 1990 to 2013 that reported the RRs of all-cause mortality for community-based adults aged ≥65 y.ResultsThirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria; these studies included 197,940 individuals with an average follow-up of 12 y. With the use of a BMI (in kg/m2) of 23.0-23.9 as the reference, there was a 12% greater risk of mortality for a BMI range of 21.0-21.9 and a 19% greater risk for a range of 20.0-20.9 [BMI of 21.0-21.9; HR (95% CI): 1.12 (1.10, 1.13); BMI of 20.0-20.9; HR (95% CI): 1.19 (1.17, 1.22)]. Mortality risk began to increase for BMI >33.0 [BMI of 33.0-33.9; HR (95% CI): 1.08 (1.00, 1.15)]. Self-reported anthropometric measurements, adjustment for intermediary factors, and exclusion of early deaths or preexisting disease did not markedly alter the associations, although there was a slight attenuation of the association in never-smokers.ConclusionsFor older populations, being overweight was not found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, there was an increased risk for those at the lower end of the recommended BMI range for adults. Because the risk of mortality increased in older people with a BMI <23.0, it would seem appropriate to monitor weight status in this group to address any modifiable causes of weight loss promptly with due consideration of individual comorbidities.

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