Evaluating Body Mass Index with total and cause-specific mortality by age groups
Principal Investigator
Name
Zheng Guo
Degrees
M.D., Ph.D
Institution
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Position Title
Postdoctoral research fellow
Email
About this CDAS Project
Study
PLCO
(Learn more about this study)
Project ID
PLCO-1783
Initial CDAS Request Approval
Jan 10, 2025
Title
Evaluating Body Mass Index with total and cause-specific mortality by age groups
Summary
Obesity is a pressing global public health concern, significantly contributing to elevated risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and 13 types of cancers. We and others have reported a J-shaped association between body mass index (BMI) and total and major cause-specific mortality, with a BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9 associated with the lowest risk of death. However, emerging evidence suggests that the BMI range associated with the lowest mortality risk may differ by age groups. As individuals age, they undergo numerous physiological changes, such as a decline in height, alterations in the distribution and quantity of adipose tissue, and a reduction in muscle mass. These age-related changes can significantly impact older adults and may modify the relationship between BMI and mortality. Consequently, it is essential to investigate how BMI correlates with mortality specifically in older populations, as this knowledge is vital for developing effective public health strategies and interventions tailored to this population.
We propose a pooled analysis utilizing data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, along with multiple cohort studies conducted in diverse settings. These include the Asia Cohort Consortium, the UK Biobank, the National Institutes of Health–American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Diet and Health Study, the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This project will provide a robust dataset for comprehensively examining the associations between BMI and mortality across different age groups and populations.
We will evaluate the association of BMI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality by age to identify optimal BMI ranges in older adults that could inform public health guidelines and interventions specifically tailored for elderly populations.
We propose a pooled analysis utilizing data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, along with multiple cohort studies conducted in diverse settings. These include the Asia Cohort Consortium, the UK Biobank, the National Institutes of Health–American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Diet and Health Study, the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This project will provide a robust dataset for comprehensively examining the associations between BMI and mortality across different age groups and populations.
We will evaluate the association of BMI with all-cause and cause-specific mortality by age to identify optimal BMI ranges in older adults that could inform public health guidelines and interventions specifically tailored for elderly populations.
Aims
To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the association between BMI and mortality by age groups, while comparing the findings between Asian and Western populations.
Collaborators
Dr. Wei Zheng (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)