RT Journal
A1 Heymsfield SB, Cefalu WT
T1 DOes body mass index adequately convey a patient's mortality risk?
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2013
FD January 2
VO 309
IS 1
SP 87
OP 88
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.185445
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.185445
AB 
A Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC) statistician revealed an association between longevity and body weight in 1942. Lifespan was longest when body weight was maintained at the same level as 25-year-old adults with similar height and frame size.1 The initial 1942 MLIC ideal body weight tables were later revised to desirable weight tables in 1959 and again in 1983 to height and weight tables. Obesity was considered present when a person's weight exceeded his or her desirable weight by 20%.