Trends in the prevalence of arterial hypertension and obesity in the urban middle-aged Kaunas (Lithuania) population during the past 20 years (2001-2023)

Background High systolic blood pressure (BP) and being overweight or obese highly contribute to the risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, both of which have been among the main causes of death in Lithuania since 2000. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) and obesity and to determine their trends among middle-aged (45-64 years) urban citizens of Kaunas over the last 20 years. Methods During the observational cross-sectional study two population-based cohorts 2001-2002 (n=978) and 2023 (n=1951) of Kaunas males and females aged 45-64 years were analysed. We defined AH as having systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension over two weeks; we defined obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater. The prevalence of AH and obesity changes were evaluated using ztest analysis. Results From 2001 to 2023 the prevalence of AH among males aged 45-64 significantly increased from 59.8% in 2001-2003 to 74.9% in 2023 (p<0.001), while among females aged 45-64, the prevalence of AH tended to decrease from 53.0% in 2001-2002 to 50.8% in 2023 (p=0.09). Over the years of the study, male obesity tended to increase from 28.0% in 2001-2002 to 32.6% in 2023, p=0.05), while the prevalence of obesity among females decreased significantly (46.3% in 2001-2002, 28.6% in 2023, p<0.001). Conclusions In the study years of 2001-2023, among Lithuanian middle-aged urban inhabitants, the prevalence of AH and obesity significantly increased in males, while in females the prevalence of AH tended to be stable, and the prevalence of obesity decreased significantly.