JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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The mean body weight of US adults increased by 3.6 kg (7.6 lb) during the past 15 years, but few studies exist that examine the impact of such weight change on functional health status. ⋯ These longitudinal data support current US guidelines for women of all body mass index levels to avoid weight gain. Weight maintenance and, in cases of overweight, weight loss are desirable and likely to be beneficial for physical function, vitality, and bodily pain.
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Mammography is recommended and is cost-effective for women aged 50 to 69 years, but the value of continuing screening mammography after age 69 years is not known. In particular, older women with low bone mineral density (BMD) have a lower risk of breast cancer and may benefit less from continued screening. ⋯ This analysis suggests that continuing mammography screening after age 69 years results in a small gain in life expectancy and is moderately cost-effective in those with high BMD and more costly in those with low BMD. Women's preferences for a small gain in life expectancy and the potential harms of screening mammography should play an important role when elderly women are deciding about screening.
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Few studies have examined the interactive effects of smoking and serum cholesterol level on morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular dieseases. In East Asia, where the prevalence of smoking is among the highest in the world, morbidity and mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) is rapidly escalating. ⋯ This study demonstrates that in Korea smoking is a major independent risk factor for IHD, CVD, and ASCVD and that a low cholesterol level confers no protective benefit against smoking-related ASCVD.
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Human adipose tissue expresses and releases the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6, potentially inducing low-grade systemic inflammation in persons with excess body fat. ⋯ Higher BMI is associated with higher CRP concentrations, even among young adults aged 17 to 39 years. These findings suggest a state of low-grade systemic inflammation in overweight and obese persons.