In a large multiethnic study, being underweight was linked with an increased risk of early death among postmenopausal women. Also, a higher waist circumference—but not being overweight or slightly obese—was associated with premature mortality, indicating that abdominal fat is more deadly than carrying excess weight.

Interestingly, Hispanic women in the study had a lower mortality rate at any given body mass index or waist circumference compared with non-Hispanic whites or African-Americans.

Source: Wiley

Full bibliographic information:Zhao Chen PhD, Yann C. Klimentidis PhD, Jennifer W. Bea PhD, Kacey C. Ernst PhD, Chengcheng Hu PhD, Rebecca Jackson PhD and Cynthia A. Thomson PhD. Body Mass Index,
“Waist Circumference, and Mortality in a Large Multiethnic Postmenopausal Cohort—Results from the Women’s Health Initiative.”,
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society