Body mass index and the risk of disease

Increasing body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), even within the normal range of BMI (21 to 24.9), is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cholelithiasis. Panel A shows data for women in the Nurses' Health Study, initially 30 to 55 years of age, who were followed for up to 18 years. Panel B shows data for men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, initially 40 to 65 years of age, who were followed for up to 10 years.