Purpose -To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio and waist circumference with the prevalence of hypertension in a representative sample of 1088 adults of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. Methods -In this cross-sectional survey, subjects were considered as having hypertension if they had systolic blood pressure 160mmHg or diastolic90mmHg, and were considered obese if they had BMI 27kg/m 2 , or had a waist-hip-ratio 0.95cm (men) or 0.80 (women) or had a waist

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... ence 96 (men) or 92 (women). Results -Obesity defined by the BMI was associated with hypertension in both genders (RR 1.9, CI 1.0 -3.2 in men; RR 2.2, CI 1.3 -3.8 in women). The other indices were significantly associated with hypertension just in women. Conclusion -BMI 27.0kg/m 2 was strongly associated with increased odds to have hypertension. Similar magnitude of the association with the other indices indicate their utility to estimate the risk of hypertension. Objetivo -Determinar a associação entre índice de massa corporal (IMC), índice cintura-quadril e cintura com a prevalência de hipertensão arterial (HAS) em amostra representativa de 1088 adultos de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Métodos -Foram considerados hipertensos indivíduos com pressão sistólica (PAS) 160mmHg ou diastólica (PAD) 95mmHg e definidos como obesos aqueles com IMC 27kg/m 2 , ou com razão cintura/quadril 0,95 (homens) e 0,80 (mulheres) ou com cintura 96cm (homens) e 92cm (mulheres). Resultados -A obesidade aferida pelo IMC associouse com a prevalência de HAS em ambos sexos (RR 1, 9, IC 1,(0) (1) (2) (3) 2 masculino; RR 2, 2, IC 1,8 feminino). Os outros índices associaram-se, significativamente, apenas nas mulheres. Conclusão -IMC 27,0kg/m 2 associou-se mais, consistentemente, com o risco de HAS. A magnitude similar das associações dos demais indicadores demonstram sua utilidade na avaliação do risco para hipertensão. Palavras-chave: hipertensão, obesidade, prevalência