OBJECTIVETo explore the morbidity of hypertension and prehypertension and analyze the association between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in Chinese college students.

METHODSThis epidemiological study involved 490 Chinese college students (aged 15-25 years, mean 18.9∓1.2 years), and their body height, body weight, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. The BMI was divided into four groups according to Chinese population standard classification.

RESULTSMost students were southern Han Chinese. The incidences of overweight plus obesity and obesity were 12.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The morbidity of hypertension was 0.8% in this student population. The incidences of hypertension and pre-hypertension were higher in high BMI groups than those in low BMI groups. The systolic blood pressures were significantly higher in over-weight and obese groups than in the normal BMI and lean groups. BMI was positively correlated to systolic and diastolic blood pressures in this population.

CONCLUSIONHigh BMI is a predictor of elevated blood pressure in adolescent students.