Key result
Obesity linked to ~36% higher stroke risk vs normal weight, highest with poor metabolic health.
Why the study?
The independent contribution of adiposity to stroke risk remains debated, particularly among metabolically healthy individuals.
Do overweight and obesity increase the risk of stroke independently of metabolic health in a general population cohort?
Cohort (n=132,045)
Do overweight and obesity increase the risk of stroke independently of metabolic health in a general population cohort?
Effect estimate: HR 1.36 (95% CI 1.27-1.45)
Overweight and obesity independently increase the risk of stroke, even in metabolically healthy individuals, with stronger associations observed at younger ages.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Should not yet change practice for overweight stroke prevention; leaves open benefits of weight loss in randomized trials.
Hultstrand et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Stroke (n=132,045). Overweight and obesity vs. Normal weight was evaluated on Stroke events (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.27-1.45). Obesity independently increased the risk of stroke compared to normal weight (HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.27-1.45), with combined obesity and poor metabolic health conferring the highest risk.
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