Abstract: To study the relationship between BMI and the prevalence rate of hypertension, the blood pressue, weight and height of 534 people from ruralarea, aged 50～69 years were measured with standardized methods and under strict quality control. The investigated people were grouped by age、sex and BMI. The prevalence rate(55.3%)of hypertension for the obesity group(BMI≥25)was obviously higher than the normal group(BMI=18.5～24.9, 32.3%)and the light body weight group(BMI<18.5, 31.4%, P<0.05)for male. For female, the prevalence rate of hypertension obesity group(56.3%)was obviously higher than that of the normal group(31.3%)and the light body weight group(25.8 %, P< 0.05). Obesity is an important factor resulting in hypertension, and hypertension should be prevented by controlling the body weight.

Key words: hypertension, body mass index, middle and elderly residents