Figure 1. Relation between mortality and BMI. At a BMI below 20 kg/m2 and above 25 kg/m2, there is an increase in relative mortality for men and women. Data from Lew EA: Mortality and weight: insured lives and the American Cancer Society studies. Ann Intern Med 103:1024-1029, 1985. Reprinted with permission from the author of Ref. 46.