Changes in the body mass index and blood pressure association across time: Evidence from multiple cross-sectional and cohort studies
Key result
The association between body mass index and systolic blood pressure has weakened over time, with the mean difference in SBP per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI among adults ≥55 years dropping to 0.53 mmHg in 2018.
Why the study?
Although body mass index is considered a key determinant of high blood pressure, whether its importance differs over time and by age group was unclear.
Does the association between BMI and systolic blood pressure change over time?
Population
126,742 HSE adults aged ≥25 years and 18,657 British birth cohort participants aged 43–46 years
Comparison
Association of body mass index with blood pressure across time and age groups
Design
Repeated cross-sectional and birth cohort studies
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May attenuate obesity-driven hypertension burden; leaves open mechanisms and needs longitudinal confirmation.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=145,399)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does the association between BMI and systolic blood pressure change over time?
P
Population
145,399 adults from repeated cross-sectional studies (≥25 years) and British birth cohorts (43-46 years) assessed for temporal changes in the association between BMI and blood pressure.
E
Exposure
Body mass index (BMI) as an exposure
O
Outcome
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) change per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMIsurrogate
Main Result
Mean Difference: 0.53 (95% CI 0.35–0.71)
The association between BMI and systolic blood pressure has weakened over time, potentially offsetting some public health impacts of increasing obesity prevalence, though the positive association remains.
Limitations
- Differences in blood pressure measurement devices across cohorts
- Differences in blood pressure measurement device across cohorts
Cite This Study
Bann et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Hypertension (n=145,399). Body mass index (BMI) was evaluated on Mean difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI (MD 0.53 mmHg, 95% CI 0.35-0.71). The association between body mass index and systolic blood pressure has weakened over time, with the mean difference in SBP per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI among adults ≥55 years dropping to 0.53 mmHg in 2018.