ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Increasing overweight and obesity rates in Mexico have been associated with increases in mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study assessed changes in body mass index (BMI) and body weight over 1 year, and explored whether these were associated with changes in CVD risk factors of blood pressure and fasting glucose in a cohort of young Mexican adults. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal data were obtained from a cohort of young Mexican adults applying to college. METHODS: Data were collected from college applicants for the 2008 academic year who re-applied in 2009. In total, 795 college applicants aged 18-20 years, of both sexes (48% males and 52% females), were included in the study. The screen included height, weight, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure measurements plus a blood draw following an overnight fast for fasting glucose. RESULTS: At baseline, 31.8% of the participants were overweight or obese. The mean 1-year change in body weight and BMI were 0.80 kg and 0.35 kg/m(2), respectively. One-year changes in body weight and BMI were associated with increased SBP and DBP for both men and women (P < 0.05), independent of baseline BMI. A weight gain of 5% or more was positively associated with increases in blood pressure among women (P < 0.05), but not among men. A weight loss of 5% or more was associated with reductions in SBP among women. CONCLUSIONS: One-year changes in weight were associated with changes in blood pressure.