Weight variability and mortality: the Iowa Women's Health Study.

The authors "evaluate the association between weight variability and risk of mortality in women [using data from a ] prospective cohort study 1986-1991 [that covered] a population-based sample of 33760 Iowa women aged 55-69....Women who displayed greater weight variability in adulthood had an increased risk of dying in later life especially from coronary heart disease. However to a considerable degree this association seems to be due to other unhealthy characteristics and pre-existing disease among those displaying increased weight variability." (EXCERPT)