Associations of socioeconomic status and obesity with hypertension in Tibetan adults in a Chinese plateau area

Background: Previous studies have identified that socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity are associated with hypertension. However, their interaction on hypertension risk has not yet been assessed. Methods: We used logistic regression models to assess the complex relations of SES and obesity with hypertension. Results: Compared with individuals of high SES, low and moderate SES were positively associated with high risk of hypertension. SES and obesity have significant additive interaction on hypertension (general obesity by BMI: RERI=1.33, P<0.001; abdominal obesity by WC: RERI=0.76, P<0.001; abdominal obesity by WHtR: RERI=0.96, P<0.001). In people from the low and moderate SES segments, obesity was linked to an increased risk of hypertension, but the correlations were stronger in people from the moderate SES category. Compared with adults of high SES and non obese, those with moderate SES and obesity had a higher risk of hypertension, and ORs were 4.38 (2.80, 6.84) for general obesity by BMI, 3.38 (2.05, 5.57) for abdominal obesity by WC, and 3.18 (1.57, 6.42) for abdominal obesity by WHtR. Conclusion: There is an independent and additive interaction effect of obesity and SES on the risk of hypertension. Obese people, especially those of moderate and low SES, should reduce weight and waist circumference, and pay more attention to blood pressure.