Impact of body mass index on long-term blood pressure variability: a cross-sectional study in a cohort of Chinese adults

Abstract Background Obesity and overweight are related to changes in blood pressure, but existing research has mainly focused on the impact of body mass index (BMI) on short-term blood pressure variability (BPV). The study aimed to examine the impact of BMI on long-term BPV. Methods Participants in the Kailuan study who attended all five annual physical examinations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 were selected as observation subjects. In total, 32,482 cases were included in the statistical analysis. According to the definition of obesity in China, BMI was divided into four groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 24.0 kg/m2), overweight (24.0 ≤ BMI < 28.0 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m2). We used average real variability to evaluate long-term systolic BPV. The average real variability of systolic blood pressure (ARVSBP) was calculated as (|sbp2 − sbp1| + |sbp3 − sbp2 | + |sbp4 − sbp3| + |sbp5 − sbp4|)/4. Differences in ARVSBP by BMI group were analyzed using analysis of variance. Stepwise multivariate linear regression and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the impact of BMI on ARVSBP. Results Participants’ average age was 46.6 ± 11.3 years, 24,502 were men, and 7980 were women. As BMI increases, the mean value of ARVSBP gradually increases. After adjusting for other confounding factors, stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that ARVSBP increased by 0.077 for every one-unit increase in BMI. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that being obese or overweight, compared with being normal-weight, were risk factors for an increase in ARVSBP. The corresponding odds ratios of being obese or overweight were 1.23 (1.15–1.37) and 1.10 (1.04–1.15), respectively. Conclusions There was a positive correlation between BMI and ARVSBP, with ARVSBP increasing with a rise in BMI. BMI is a risk factor for an increase in ARVSBP. Trial registration Registration No.: CHiCTR-TNC1100 1489; Registration Date: June 01, 2006