Sex differences in the relationship between body mass index in Chinese adolescents and future risk of hypertension: a decade-long cohort study

Bibliographic Details
Title: Sex differences in the relationship between body mass index in Chinese adolescents and future risk of hypertension: a decade-long cohort study
Authors: Rongtian Liu, Haofei Hu, Changchun Cao, Yong han, Yuxin Bai, Wei Feng
Source: BMC Pediatrics, Vol 25, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Pediatrics
Subject Terms: Hypertension, Obesity, Nonlinear association, Smooth curve fitting, Metabolic syndrome, Pediatrics, RJ1-570
More Details: Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) during adolescence and the future risk of developing hypertension, with a particular focus on potential sex differences. Methods This study was a secondary analysis based on a cohort study involving 2,020 adolescents aged 10–15 years who underwent health check-ups at the MJ Health Screening Center between 1999 and 2008. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between BMI and hypertension risk, with stratification by gender. Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions was employed to explore potential nonlinear relationships, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure robustness. Results The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model showed a significant positive association between BMI and hypertension risk in the overall adolescent population and particularly in males, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.204 (95% CI: 1.038–1.396) and 1.181 (95% CI: 1.013–1.377), respectively. In females, a nonlinear relationship with a threshold effect was identified, with an inflection point at a BMI of 24.11 kg/m². Beyond this threshold, each 1 kg/m² increase in BMI was associated with a 3.491-fold higher risk of hypertension (HR = 4.491, 95% CI: 1.185–17.020). Conclusion Among Chinese adolescent males, there was a positive dose-response relationship between BMI and future hypertension risk. In adolescent females, a specific nonlinear association with a threshold effect (inflection point: 24.11 kg/m²) was observed. Maintaining a BMI below 24.11 kg/m² in adolescent females may reduce their future risk of developing hypertension.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1471-2431
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1471-2431
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-025-05555-2
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/76177a4c48724507945e95d2930ff788
Accession Number: edsdoj.76177a4c48724507945e95d2930ff788
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:14712431
DOI:10.1186/s12887-025-05555-2
Published in:BMC Pediatrics
Language:English