Semin Vasc Med 2002; 02(4): 369-382
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36766
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Coronary Heart Disease and Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from Larger Prospective Cohort Studies

Gary Whitlock1 , Sarah Lewington1 , Cliona Ni Mhurchu2
  • 1Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiology Studies Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • 2Clinical Trials Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Publication History

Publication Date:
22 January 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We systematically reviewed English-language publications arising from prospective cohort studies of the association between coronary heart disease risk and body mass index. Eighty published articles from 46 studies were identified. Two thirds of the studies, including all 14 studies with at least 500 cases ("larger" studies), reported a positive or J-shaped association. Among these 14 larger studies, the average increase in coronary heart disease risk for each 2 kg/m2 higher body mass index was 14%. There was only limited evidence of effect modification by age, sex, ethnicity, or other variables. Evidence from many studies, including randomized controlled trials, implies that the association between coronary heart disease risk and body mass index is partly (or perhaps wholly) mediated by high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance.

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