Weight change from young adulthood to middle-old age and its association with blood pressure in Hong Kong Chinese women

Objectives: To describe the pattern of weight change throughout adult life in Hong Kong Chinese women; to determine whether the weight change was important in affecting adult blood pressure (BP). Methods: This study was integrated in a life course study among 1253 female nurses aged 35-65 in Hong Kong; their early life exposures with later life outcomes were examined by a self-administered questionnaire. The self-reported height, weight and BP have been validated in a pilot study. Results: From young adulthood to current age, 80.9% of women had weight gain whereas 17.9% women had weight loss. The prevalence of overweight and obesity at age 18 and at present was 9.3% and 30.6% respectively. Between the two weight change groups, although the mean current weight was higher in weight gain group, the mean weight at age 18 was found higher in weight loss group (both P<0.05). Higher weight gain was correlated with higher BP (P for trend <0.01). According to percentile stratified analysis, on average, the highest BP existed in those women who were heaviest 10% both at present and at age 18. Linear regression analysis showed the positive associations between weight change and BP (coefficient B was 0.62 for Systolic BP and 0.42 for Diastolic BP, both P<0.05). Conclusions: Women tended to get fatter throughout the adult life; more weight gain led to the higher BP. Keep on a rational body weight during adult life is important.