The Obesity Paradox, Weight Loss, and Coronary Disease

Three-year mortality in 529 coronary patients who attended cardiac rehabilitation grouped by body mass index (BMI). Mortality was inversely related with BMI (P <.0001).

All-cause mortality in 529 coronary patients following formal cardiac rehabilitation: (A) divided by baseline body mass index (BMI); (B) divided by baseline percent body fat (>25% in men and >35% in women); and (C) in 393 patients with baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m², divided by median weight change.

Actuarial cumulative hazard plot for survival time in 529 coronary patients based on: (A) Baseline body mass index (BMI) status (high=BMI ≥25 kg/m² vs low=BMI <25 kg/m²) and (B) Baseline percent body fat (high=fat >25% in men and >35% in women vs low fat).