Body Mass Index Is Associated with Hypertension in Japanese Young Elderly Individuals: Findings of the New Integrated Suburban Seniority Investigation

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between BMI at 65 years of age and the development of hypertension during the subsequent five years. Methods A total of 1, 003 participants (65 years of age) who had no history of myocardial infarction and/or hypertension at baseline health check-ups (1996-2005) and participated in a secondary health check-up when the subjects reached 70 years of age were analyzed. Results Using fully adjusted models, men with a BMI of <18.5 [odds ratio (OR), 4.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-1.83], BMI of 23.0-24.9 (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.18-3.40) and BMI of ≥25.0 (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.10-3.56) were found to be at higher risk of developing hypertension than did those with a BMI of 18.5-22.9. Conclusion Leanness or being overweight/obese at age 65 increases the risk of subsequent hypertension.