Malnutrition Increases Mortality Risk Regardless of Weight Status

Strategic Insights -

New research has shed light on the link between malnutrition, obesity, and mortality risk in community-dwelling adults. A cross-sectional study examining the association between malnutrition and obesity, as measured by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and body mass index (BMI), found that malnutrition increases mortality risk regardless of weight status. The study, conducted by researchers at Ezhou Central Hospital, analyzed data from 28,202 adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999-2018.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that malnutrition was present in 14.03% of participants, with 0.16% experiencing moderate-to-severe malnutrition.
  • During a median follow-up time of 123 months, 6.19% of participants died, with 28.05% of those deaths being cardiovascular disease (CVD) related.
  • The hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-1.86) for the malnourished and nonobese group, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.91-1.16) for the nourished and obese group, and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.06-1.59) for the malnourished and obese group.
  • The HRs of CVD mortality were 1.61 (95% CI, 1.21-2.14) for the malnourished and nonobese group, 1.23 (95% CI, 0.98-1.55) for the nourished and obese group, and 2.09 (95% CI, 1.41-3.10) for the malnourished and obese group.
  • The study concluded that malnutrition increases mortality risk regardless of weight status, highlighting the importance of nutrition assessment even in individuals with obesity.

Statistics:

  • 14.03% of participants experienced any degree of malnutrition
  • 0.16% of participants experienced moderate-to-severe malnutrition
  • 6.19% of participants died during the follow-up period
  • 28.05% of deaths were CVD-related
  • Median follow-up time was 123 months
  • Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality:

+ 1.58 (95% CI, 1.34-1.86) for the malnourished and nonobese group

+ 1.03 (95% CI, 0.91-1.16) for the nourished and obese group

+ 1.30 (95% CI, 1.06-1.59) for the malnourished and obese group

  • Hazard ratios (HRs) of CVD mortality:

+ 1.61 (95% CI, 1.21-2.14) for the malnourished and nonobese group

+ 1.23 (95% CI, 0.98-1.55) for the nourished and obese group

+ 2.09 (95% CI, 1.41-3.10) for the malnourished and obese group

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators at Ezhou Central Hospital Have Reported New Data on Malnutrition (Association between nutrition and weight status and mortality among adults: A cross-sectional study). World Disease Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 23.
  • Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Association between nutrition and weight status and mortality among adults: A cross-sectional study. 2025.