Weight Loss and Mortality
Authors: Lewis Kuller
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Editorials1 October 1993Weight Loss and MortalityLewis Kuller, MD, DrPH and Rena Wing, PhDLewis Kuller, MD, DrPHUniversity of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.Search for more papers by this author and Rena Wing, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-119-7_Part_1-199310010-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Weight cycling, that is, gaining and losing weight over time, has been linked to excess mortality. The studies reported in the supplement to this issue further evaluated the relation among weight loss, weight cycling, and health. The mortality rate was higher among persons who either lost weight or had weight cycling. The reasons for the weight loss or weight cycling were not determined. The association across varying levels of body mass index (BMI) and the findings that the negative effects of weight cycling are greatest in persons with the lowest BMIs suggest that the weight loss was not all voluntary. ...References1. Weinberger MH. Do no harm. Antihypertensive therapy and the J curve (Editorial). Arch Intern Med. l992; 152:473-6. Google Scholar2. Muldoon MF, Manuck SB, Matthews KA. Lowering cholesterol concentrations and mortality: a quantitative review of primary prevention trials. BMJ. 1990; 301:309-14. Google Scholar3. Kuller LH, Eichner JE, Orchard TJ, Grandits GA, McCallum L, Tracy RP; for the MRFIT Research Group. The relation between serum albumin levels and risk of coronary heart disease in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. Am J Epidemiol. 1991; 134: 1266-77. Google Scholar4. 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Google Scholar19. Stamler R, Ford CE, Stamler J. Why are mortality rates higher in lean than in average weight hypertensives? Findings of the hypertension detection & follow-up program (Abstract). Circulation. 1990;82(Suppl III):III-554. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.Corresponding Author: Lewis H. Kuller, MD, DrPH, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. 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Bunton, BA, and Kathleen N. Lohr, PhDWeight loss causes increased mortality: prosDoes intentional weight loss affect mortality rate?Effects of weight variability on cardiovascular risk factors; a study of nonsmoking Japanese male office workersRelationship of body mass index to subsequent mortality among seriously ill hospitalized patientsAssociation of Weight Loss and Weight Fluctuation with Mortality among Japanese American MenInvoluntary Weight Loss in Older Outpatients: Incidence and Clinical SignificanceFuture in lipid and lipoprotein research: from preventing clinical disease to preventing elevated risk factors 1 October 1993Volume 119, Issue 7_Part_1Page: 630-632KeywordsBlood pressureBody mass indexCardiovascular diseasesMedical risk factorsMortalityMyocardial infarctionObesityOverweightWeight gainWeight loss ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 October 1993 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1993 by American College of Physicians. 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