Authors

Weinsier, Fuchs, Kay, Treibwasser, & Lancaster (1976)⁷

Conclusions

*Weak correlation between body fat, BP, cholesterol & triglycerides.
*Mean levels of body fat not significantly different between patients with cardiovascular disease & controls
*Weak correlation between body fat, BP, cholesterol & triglycerides.
*Obesity is only a minor determinant of blood pressure and lipid levels.
*Obesity's contribution to cardiovascular disease is extremely small or non-existent.

Concern

Although completed in 1976, represents the diversity of research results.

Authors

Wilcosky, Hyde, Anderson, Bangdiwala, & Duncan (1990)⁸

Conclusions

*Mortality rates are significantly higher among the very thin and very obese.
*A "J" shaped relationship between weight & cardiovascular disease is supported.
*No significant correlation between obesity and cardiovascular disease (or cancer) found.

Concern

Demonstrates the contradictory nature of research findings.

Author(s)

Meisler & St. Joer (1996)^9,10

Conclusion

Studies relating obesity to cardiovascular disease show that BMIs equal to or < 22.6 (men) & 21.1 (women) would lead to less cardiovascular risk & 25% less cardiovascular disease.

Concerns

*Despite the fact that statistical procedures cannot prove causality¹¹, a causal relationship between specific BMIs & cardiovascular disease risk is proposed.
*Recommended BMIs are far below the levels at which health risk is shown to be statistically significant.

Authors

Hubert, Feinleib, McNamara, & Castelli (1983)¹²

Conclusion

Obesity is an independent (causal) risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Concerns

*Secondary analysis of Framingham heart study that used only 2 weights: The subjects' initial weight & weight after 25 years.
*Unable to capture any effects associated with weight cycling.
*Physical activity level, diet, & personality types not considered.

Authors

Willett, Manson, Stampfer, Colditz, Rosner, Speizer, & Hennekes (1995)¹³

Conclusions

*Obesity is an independent (causal) risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
*Recommend that women maintain a BMI of <21 to minimize cardiovascular disease risk.

Concerns

*Assume hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, & hypercholesterolemia to be intermediate steps in a causal relationship between obesity & CHD & don't control for their potential influence.
*Support for the above assumptions are not included.
*Recommendations for BMIs <21 justified by a very weak trend depicting increased risk for cardiovascular disease with rising BMI; however, significant risk was not demonstrated until BMIs were at least 29.