Individuals who gain weight in adulthood as well as those who are overweight in adolescence and adulthood are at increased risk for hypertension, research suggests

Moreover, the risk for hypertension varied across racial/ethnic groups, with Hispanic men having a 2.74-fold increased risk for hypertension, while black men had a 4.36-fold increased risk, and white men had a 6.38-fold increased risk, compared with Hispanic, black, and white men of normal weight. Hispanic women had a 6.46-fold increased risk for hypertension, while white women had a 6.38-fold increased risk, and black women a 4.36-fold increased risk, compared with Hispanic, white, and black women of normal weight. The research shows that black women and Hispanic women were significantly more likely to be overweight in adulthood than white women, at 35% and 27% versus 19% respectively. Hispanic men were more likely to be overweight in adulthood than black men, but there was no significant difference in the prevalence of overweight Hispanic and white men, at 24% and 22%, respectively. Black, Hispanic, and white men who were of normal weight in adolescence but became overweight in adulthood had a systolic blood pressure or SBP that was significantly higher by 4.4, 4.0, and 5.3 mmHg, respectively, than their counterparts who maintained a normal weight across adolescence and adulthood. Significant associations were also noted among black, Hispanic, and white women who became obese in adulthood, at SBPs that were significantly higher by 8.3, 7.9, and 6.5 mmHg than women who maintained a normal weight across adolescence and adulthood, respectively.