Central obesity and hypertension in Chinese adults: A 12-year longitudinal examination

•Waist circumference increased 5 cm in 12 years in Chinese adult participants.•By 2009, a quarter of the men and half of the women were centrally obese.•By 2009, about a quarter of the Chinese adult participants developed hypertension.•In 12 years, central obesity independent of BMI increased the risk of hypertension.

ObjectiveIn Chinese adults, the trend of central obesity and its longitudinal association with hypertension, independent of general obesity, was examined.MethodsA 12-year longitudinal analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. This study examined 6096 individuals (normotensive in 1997) who were followed up with in 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2009. Prevalence of hypertension in 2009 was predicted by baseline central obesity and waist circumference changes during a 12-year follow-up period along with confounding covariates using multiple logistic regressions.ResultsBetween 1997 and 2009, the prevalence of central obesity increased from 17.3% to 39.4% and was highest among individuals ≥ 60 years of age in 1997. By 2009, 26.8% of the participants developed hypertension. The odds ratio of developing hypertension during the 12-year study period for Chinese adults with central obesity at baseline was 1.79 (95% confidence interval = 1.36-2.35) compared to those without central obesity, controlling for general obesity, demographics, smoking/drinking behavior, and fat intake.ConclusionsAmong Chinese adults, central obesity increases the risk for developing hypertension later in life, even after controlling for general obesity, smoking, drinking, and high fat intake among other factors. Waist circumference should be targeted in the efforts of hypertension prevention.