title: Body mass index and mortality rate among Hispanic adults: a pooled analysis of multiple epidemiologic data sets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI, kg m⁻²) and mortality rate among Hispanic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of five data sets (total N=16,798) identified after searching for publicly available, prospective cohort data sets containing relevant information for at least 500 Hispanic respondents (≥18 years at baseline), at least 5 years of mortality follow-up, and measured height and weight. Data sets included the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Puerto Rico Heart Health Program (PRHHP), the Hispanic Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (HEPESE), the San Antonio Heart Study (SAHS) and the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for sex and smoking, were fit within three attained-age strata (18 to younger than 60 years, 60 to younger than 70 years, and 70 years and older). We found that underweight was associated with elevated mortality rate for all age groups in the PRHHP (hazard ratios [HRs]=1.38-1.60) and the SAHS (HRs=1.88-2.51). Overweight (HRs=0.38 and 0.84) and obesity grade 2-3 (HRs=0.75 and 0.60) associated with reduced mortality rate in the HEPESE dataset for those in the 60 to younger than 70 years, and 70 years and older attained-age strata. Weighted estimates combining the HRs across the data sets revealed a similar pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among Hispanic adults, there was no clear evidence that overweight and obesity associate with elevated mortality rate.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. kfontai1@jhmi.edu
authors: K R
authors: KR
authors: Fontaine
authors: R
authors: R
authors: McCubrey
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Mehta
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Pajewski
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Keith
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Bangalore
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Crespo
authors: D B
authors: DB
authors: Allison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000401:mortality*; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology