Even a moderate amount of excess weight is associated with an increased risk for development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, according to an analysis of data from the Framingham Heart Study published in the September 9th issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The researchers, led by Peter W. F. Wilson, M.D., examined the relation between body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular outcome among Study participants who were aged 35 to 75 years and who had been followed up to 44 years. The authors classified overweight persons as those with an index of 25.0 to 29.9 and classified obese persons as those with an index of 30.0 or higher. The reference group of normal-weight persons had a body mass index in the range of 18.5 to 24.9.

Investigators found that age-adjusted relative risk for development of hypertension was strongly associated with excess weight. Risk of hypertension was 46 percent higher in men and 75 percent higher in women who were overweight compared with risk in normal-weight individuals. Risk for cardiovascular disease was increased among overweight and obese men and women, although to a lesser extent.

Risks for development of hypercholesterolemia and diabetes were less strongly associated with excess weight.

The researchers write, "Interventions to reduce adiposity [BMI] and avoid excess weight may have large effects on the development of risk factors and cardiovascular disease at an individual and population level."