Researchers at the University of Virginia have found that BMI appears to significantly predict 30-day mortality following surgery, even after adjusting for surgery type and expected risk of death. Study participants with a BMI less than 23.1 kg/m2 had a 40% higher risk of death when compared with participants who had BMIs ranging between 26.3 kg/m2 and 29.7 kg/m2.

Abstract: Archives of Surgery, March 2012.