Three patients have BMIs of 19, 31, and 39. Considering both BMI and known disease associations from the lesson, which patient has the highest immediate risk for obesity-related mortality and why?

• A. The patient with BMI 19 has the highest immediate risk because being underweight always carries higher mortality than any obesity range.
• B. The patient with BMI 31 has the highest risk because moderate obesity is more dangerous than severe obesity.
• C. The patient with BMI 39 has the highest immediate risk because this obese range is associated with the greatest increase in chronic disease and mortality.
• D. All three patients have equal risk because BMI alone does not predict mortality without lab values and lifestyle information.

Answer: (C)