Key result
Normal body mass index combined with large waist circumference was associated with significantly higher odds of hypertension (adjusted OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.19-1.58) among Indian adults aged ≥45 years.
Why the study?
Limited evidence exists on the combined associations of waist circumference and body mass index with hypertension among adults aged 45 years and older in India.
Does large waist circumference combined with varying categories of body mass index increase the odds of hypertension in adults aged 45 years and older?
Cross-Sectional (n=59,658)
Does large waist circumference combined with varying categories of body mass index increase the odds of hypertension in adults aged 45 years and older?
Routine assessment of waist circumference alongside BMI can help identify middle-aged and older individuals at higher risk of hypertension, even if their BMI is normal.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support hypertension risk assessment by waist circumference in normal-BMI older adults; extends central obesity links but remains hypothesis-generating.
Hypertension is highly prevalent among adults aged 45 years and older in India, yet limited evidence exists on the combined associations of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) with hypertension. This study examined their independent and joint associations with hypertension using Wave 1 (2017–18) of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) among 59,658 adults aged 45 years and older. Hypertension was defined as measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations across combined WC–BMI categories. Overall hypertension prevalence was 31.3%. Individuals with normal BMI but large WC had higher odds of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.58). Obese individuals with large WC had the highest odds (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.45–2.17). Both central and general obesity were independently associated with hypertension. Routine WC assessment alongside BMI may improve identification of high-risk individuals in India’s middle-aged and older population.
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Alok Roy (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=59,658). Normal BMI with large waist circumference vs. Normal BMI without large waist circumference was evaluated on Hypertension (measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg) (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19-1.58). Normal body mass index combined with large waist circumference was associated with significantly higher odds of hypertension (adjusted OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.19-1.58) among Indian adults aged ≥45 years.
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