Comparison of obesity indexes BMI, WHR and WC in association with Hypertension: results from a Blood Pressure Status Survey in Iran

Background: This study was done to identify prevalence of obesity by three indexes body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference (WC) in Yazd- Iran adult population and comprise them in association with hypertension prevalence. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey of 18 years of age and older urban population. In cluster sampling method, 1130 persons were selected. In-home interview and examination were used. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity by BMI were 36.1% and 26.1% respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was 57.9% by WHR and was 42.8% by WC. Odd ratios for WHR and WC with hypertension were slightly lower than BMI (2.39, 2.66 and 2.86 respectively). But odd ratio for WC in women was strongly higher than BMI and WHR (5.39 confronting 3.99 and 3.05). Conclusion: We have identified high prevalence of obesity in Yazd adult population. This is an important health issue and indicates an urgent need for prevention and control of it. The results suggest that the association of obesity by WC with hypertension is stronger than other indexes in women and by BMI with hypertension is slightly stronger than other indexes in men. Based on this result, the health professionals can assign obese people and in second level identify risk of hypertension with measuring of waist circumference.