Weight history and hypertension.

The relationship between weight change and hypertension was examined among men and women 25-64 years of age surveyed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-I). Any single weight measurement (current weight, weight at an earlier age, or the difference between these two weights) was found to be a significant univariate predictor of hypertension, with current weight being most predictive. Initial weight and weight change were not associated with increased blood pressure, however, when controlling for current weight. These results do not distinguish a difference in risk of hypertension in adults with overweight or obesity of long-standing vs that of adults with overweight or obesity of more recent onset.