Body mass index throughout the life-course and blood pressure in mid-adult life: a birth cohort study

• DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0b013e3280f3c01a
• Publication Date: 2007-06-08T08:06:43Z
• Authors: Leah Li; Catherine Law; Chris Power
• Keywords: Adult; 2. Zero hunger; Aging; Wales; Adolescent; Infant, Newborn; Blood Pressure; Middle Aged; Body Mass Index; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; England; Scotland; Hypertension; Birth Weight; Humans; Obesity; Child

Background The contribution of body mass index (BMI) at different life stages to adult blood pressure (BP) is not well known. We investigated whether changes in BMI across childhood and adulthood, birthweight, influence BP mid-adulthood. Methods results In 9297 participants the 1958 British birth cohort, we analysed measures several ages (7, 11, 16, 33 45 years) years. Positive BMI/BP associations strengthened with age; years a standard deviation (SD) increase concurrent was associated an systolic (SBP) 3.9 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6–4.2] elevated risk hypertension (odds ratio 1.68; 95% CI 1.60–1.76). effect on decreasing BMI; among thinnest 10% 11 years, SBP increased by 5.5 per SD heaviest 3.3 mmHg. Excessive gain, especially recently, raised BP; allowing for between 4.1 (95% 3.6–4.6). Birthweight inversely reduced 1.3 0.9–1.7) independently BMI. Conclusion High excessive gain any stage, particularly BP. Relatively thin children were vulnerable adulthood. Elevated low birthweight caused 'catch-up' growth.