Objective:This study aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index(BMI)and pulse wave velocity(PWV)in the community-dwelling subjects. Methods:A total of 3381 subjects older than 40 years of age from Gulou district,Nanjing were enrolled. Data of disease history,medication history,habits and etc. were collected by questionnaire. Height,weight,waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed. Blood lipid and PWV was assessed. Results:According to the multivariate regression,systolic blood pressure(SBP)was the independent risk factor of PWV(β = 0.478,P < 0.001). A weak and negative association was showed between PWV and BMI after adjustments for confounding factors by covariance analysis. The healthy obesity group had lower PWV than the unhealthy normal weight group(P < 0.01). Conclusion:BMI is not independently associated with PWV. The relationship between BMI and PWV is mainly explained by the strong positive association between BMI and BP.