Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation of body mass index(BMI) and waist-to-height ratio(WHtR) with blood pressure as well as to assess the efficacy of the two obesity index in the prediction of hypertension in a middle-aged community groups. Methods Total 4 088 middle-aged residents from one community of Jinchuan area in Jinchang City were included in this study. Basic health information was collected using a health-behavior factors survey. Linear regression model analysis was carried out on the relationship between blood pressure(systolic and diastolic) and BMI, WHtR. The efficacy and appropriate cut-off values of BMI and WHtR in the prediction of hypertension were assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results Systolic and diastolic pressures increased with increasing BMI and WHtR. The effect of BMI on blood pressure was greater than that of WHtR. The prediction efficacy of BMI on hypertension were better than that of WHtR no matter male (Z=2.06,P=0.020) or female (Z=1.77, P=0.038). Conclusions BMI has a stronger correlation with blood pressure than that of WHtR in this middle-aged community residents. People with BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m² and/or WHtR ≥ 0.5 should be the key residents for hypertension prevention and control.