Background/Objectives: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and incident hypertension in a cohort of rural women in the Chinese population. Subjects/Methods: A population-based sample of 11 468 rural Chinese women aged X35 years and free from hypertension at baseline were followed-up from 2004-2006 to 2008. We calculated BMI from measured weight and height. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) X140 mm Hg, diastolic BPX90 mm Hg or current use of antihypertensive medications. Results: During a median follow-up of 28 months, 2666 participants developed hypertension. Higher baseline BMI, even within the 'normal' range, was consistently associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Compared with participants in the lowest BMI quintile (18.5-21.1 kg/m 2 ), the multivariable-adjusted relative risks (95% confidence interval) of developing hypertension for women with a BMI of 21.2 to 22.4, 22.5 to 23.7, 23.8 to 25.4 and X25.4 kg/m 2 were 1.200 (1.058-1.361), 1.250 (1.100-1.419), 1.466 (1.291-1.666) and 1.785 (1.584-2.012), respectively (P for trend, o0.001). Further adjustment for baseline BP did not substantially alter these results. We found similar associations using other BMI categories and after excluding women with smoking history at baseline. The pattern of association also existed among old women (age X55 years). Conclusions:In this large cohort, we found a strong gradient association between higher BMI and increased risk of hypertension, even among older women within the normal BMI range. Clinicians should emphasize the importance of weight management for the primary prevention of hypertension in rural women in the Chinese population.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.