['Higher blood pressure level in the normotensive range is a major predictor of the development of hypertension. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the risk factor profiles among different normotensive categories according to the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI).', 'This community-based survey was conducted in five counties of Kinmen from 1991 to 1995. We analyzed the data of fasting blood sugar, insulin, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference from 6,372 normotensive respondents (2511 men and 3861 women), who were categorized into three groups (High Normal, Normal, and Optimal) by JNC VI classification.', 'By univariate analysis, significant differences among the groups were shown in fasting blood sugar, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, BMI and waist circumference in both male and female population. By multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis, High Normal Group had significantly higher percentage of obesity (OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.77 4.13 in men; OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.16 - 3.34 in women) than Optimal Group. Normal Group had more obesity (OR = 2.01,95% CI = 1.09 - 3.70 in men; OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.31 - 2.30 in women) than Optimal Group, and High Normal Group had more obesity (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.05 - 2.92 in men; OR = 1.45,95% CI = 1.06 - 2.08 in women) than Normal Group.'] Is obesity the most important determinant of higher blood pressure among normotensive Chinese?