Relationship Between Dynamic Changes in Body Weight and Blood Pressure: The ESTEBAN Survey

Obesity is one of the main determinants of blood pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the relations between the different anthropometric indices and blood pressure (BP) stratified by gender.

Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data from 2,105 adults from the ESTEBAN survey, a representative sample of the French population. Partial Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between BP and anthropometric indices. Regressions were adjusted on age, antihypertensive therapies, socioeconomic levels, dietary intakes, and cardiovascular risk factors. A weight variation index, as adjusted weight variation/year, was calculated as (weight maximum - weight minimum) / (age of weight max - age of weight min). This index was adjusted on the BMI reported during the inclusion and time elapsed since weight variation from the moment of inclusion.

In the Esteban population stratified by gender, this weight index had the highest r-value of correlation with all BP parameters compared with all anthropometric indices (WC, WHR, WHtR) in both genders. In men, weight variation more than +1 kg/year is associated with 5.5 mm Hg increase in systolic BP and with 1.8 mm Hg increase in diastolic BP. In women, more than +1 kg/year is associated with 3.3 mm Hg increase in systolic BP and with 1.0 mm Hg increase in diastolic BP.

A dynamic view of body weight change appears more predictive in BP change than a static view expressed by BMI. Public health initiatives to maintain a youthful body weight during life course are majors to prevent hypertension.

The study was registered in the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (no. 2012-A00456-34) and was approved by the Advisory Committee for Protection of Persons in Biomedical Research.