The «obesity paradox» and its degree of proof

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Abstract

The article gives a critical assessment of the so-called «obesity paradox». Methodological errors that occur in the organization of studies that studied the «obesity paradox» and the formation of comparison groups are highlighted. There are also examples of the disappearance of the «obesity paradox» when taking into account additional risk factors. The organization of prospective studies or more careful consideration of all currently known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will significantly improve the results of the study of the effect of overweight and obesity on mortality in patients with CVD. Thus, despite the biological possibility of the existence of a positive effect of adipose tissue in CVD, the presence of a large number of errors identified in the analysis of the work of researchers «obesity paradox» require to reconsider the existence of this phenomenon, it should be taken into account the possibility that the «obesity paradox» may be a consequence of improper design studies to investigate this phenomenon.

About the authors

S. V. Miklisanskaya

Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Author for correspondence.
Email: kvant83@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1009-099X

к.м.н., ассистент каф. кардиологии

Russian Federation, Moscow

N. A. Mazur

Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: kvant83@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0984-1562

д.м.н., проф., почетный зав. каф. кардиологии

Russian Federation, Moscow

L. V. Solomasova

Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: kvant83@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8362-6946

ст. лаборант каф. кардиологии

Russian Federation, Moscow

V. V. Chigineva

Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Email: kvant83@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9471-851X

д.м.н., доц. каф. кардиологии

Russian Federation, Moscow

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