Higher body weight is associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels.

Is it true that higher body weight is associated with higher LDL cholesterol levels?

Partly. Several sources partially support the claim: a CDC page and a small pilot study report higher LDL in people with obesity, and a 1993 study found higher BMI associated with higher LDL in young men. However, a weight-loss cohort and a pregnancy study found higher BMI or obesity associated with lower LDL, so the evidence is mixed and covers only parts of the picture.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

High cholesterol. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_cholesterol

Pergola, G. D., Zupo, R., Lampignano, L., Bonfiglio, C., Giannelli, G., Osella, A., & Triggiani, V. (2020). Higher Body Mass Index, Uric Acid Levels, and Lower Cholesterol Levels are Associated with Greater Weight Loss.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871530320666200429235830

Excess body weight. An underrecognized contributor to high blood cholesterol levels in white American men.. (1993). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8481076

Filippatos, T., Liberopoulos, E., Georgoula, M., Tellis, C., Tselepis, A., & Elisaf, M. (2017). Effects of increased body weight and short-term weight loss on serum PCSK9 levels – a prospective pilot study. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5114/amsad.2017.70502

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol | Cholesterol | CDC. (n.d.). cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk-factors/index.html

Contreras-Duarte, S., Moya, D., Parra, R., Rotarou, E. S., & Leiva, A. (2024). Revisiting weight gain during gestation: body mass index and weight gain are associated with increased maternal cholesterol levels and higher risk of maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4286079/v1