VARIATIONS IN MORTALITY BY WEIGHT AMONG 750,000 MEN AND WOMEN

This paper is based on a portion of a long-term prospective study conducted by the American Cancer Society over the period 1959-1972. It describes the mortality experience according to variations in weight among 750,000 men and women drawn from the general population. The lowest mortality was found among those close to average weight and those 10-20% below average weight. Mortality among men and women 30-40% heavier than average was nearly 50% higher than among those of average weight; among those more than 40% heavier than average it was nearly 90% higher than among those of average weight. Coronary heart disease was the major factor in the higher mortality of overweights, being 55% higher among those 30-40% heavier than average, and about 100% higher among those more than 40% overweight. Cancer mortality was elevated only among those 40% or more overweight; cancer of the colon and rectum was the principal site of excess cancer mortality among men, while cancer of the gall bladder and biliary passages, breast, cervix, endometrium, uterus and ovary were the major sites of excess mortality among women. Mortality from diabetes was particularly high among overweights, especially women. The mortality findings of this study match closely those of the Build and Blood Pressure Study 1959 based on the experience of 4 1 2 million insured persons. © 1979.