Sex specific impact of different obesity phenotypes on the risk of incident hypertension: Tehran lipid and glucose study.

backgroundTo investigate the association between different obesity phenotypes and the risk of incident hypertension among both genders.

methodsThe study population included 3659 Iranians (me

resultsAfter a median follow-up of 11.6 years 1122 participants (men = 493) experienced hypertension. Using JIS criteria, a significant higher risk of hypertension was observed among metabolically healthy obese and well as metabolically unhealthy groups among men in the age adjusted model; however, a significant higher risk in the fully adjusted model was seen among women in the metabolically healthy obese [hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96(1.16-3.32)] as well as metabolically unhealthy normal weight [1.98(1.37-2.86)], overweight [2.08(1.49-2.90)] and obese [2.06(1.27-3.30)] groups. Using insulin sensitive normal weight group as the reference, among men, being overweight or obese with and without IR was significant predictors of incident hypertension in the age adjusted model; however, among women, insulin resistant overweight [1.46(1.06-2.02)] and obese groups, [1.63(1.01-2.62)] showed significant risk in the fully adjusted model.

conclusionWe concluded that first, there was significant difference between genders in the associations between obesity phenotypes and incident hypertension. Second, in general, metabolic status defined by MetS components as compared to IR could do better in identifying high risk women for hypertension. Third, women populations who are metabolically healthy obese using MetS definition or those with either > 1 component of metabolic syndrome or overweight/obese ones with IR should be prioritized for implementing urgent preventive strategies against hypertension focusing on lifestyle changes.