Sex-age-specific association of body mass index with all-cause mortality among 12.8 million Korean adults: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Women had a lower optimal BMI than men, especially at younger ages. The optimal BMI increased with age. Change in optimal BMI with age, however, was more profound in women than in men. Sex-age-specific optimums were generally higher than the current normal weight (BMI of 18.5-24.9), except in women below 50 years. Sex-age-specific guidelines related to body weight may be needed to guide people for better health.