Abstract

Introduction: Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases have an increasing rate worldwide. Body weight is being used to predict the development of these risk factors in many populations. However, there is a lack of related data from Iran in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences of hypertension and dyslipidemia in a Tehranian population over time, and to assess whether BMI or WHR as general and central obesity indicators are reliable predictors for these risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study population included 2729 individuals, aged 20-70 years, who were investigated at the beginning and the end of the second phase of the prospective Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). In each phase, BMI, WHR, BP and lipids profile were measured according to standard protocols. Socio-demographic data were obtained, using pretested questionnaires in each phase. Finally, using SPSS, prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, general and central obesity in the study population were determined. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions evaluated the associations between variables after matching for confounders. To test the strength of the associations, sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval were used. Results: A notable increase in general/central obesity prevalence and a decrease in hypertension and dyslipidemia prevalence were seen during the study period. BMI stayed significantly associated with hypertension and almost all lipid factors (P<0.05) however, WHR kept its significant association only with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that BMI the overweight/obesity indicator, is a stronger predictor for hypertension and dyslipidemia in adult Tehranians.