Background: Obesity is on the rise worldwide and like Na + it is associated with blood pressure (BP) and target organ changes. Our study population has a high incidence of obesity (67%) and a dietary sodium intake that is slightly above the recommended threshold. Previous studies conducted in this population have shown no relationship between Na + and both BP and arterial stiffness. With the high incidence of obesity in this population, it is possible that the indices of obesity blunt this relationship. Therefore in this study we investigate whether the relationship between Na + and both BP and PWV is moderated by the indices of obesity. Methods: We recruited 1219 South Africans of African ancestry and measure 24-h ambulatory on 796 participants and 597 had complete 24-hour urine collection. Anthropometric measurements were taken and a standard questionnaire was issued to determine lifestyle habits and history of medication. To assess arterial stiffness we used applanation tonometry to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results: After correcting for covariates, there was an association between Na + and PB in participants with normal BMI but not in obese participants. Similarly there was a relationship between Na + and PWV (p=0.0447) in individuals with normal BMI only. When waist circumference was used as an index of obesity, gender disparities were observed in the relationship between Na + and PWV. There was no relationship between Na + and PWV irrespective the waist circumference in males but a multivariate regression analyses showed a relationship between Na + and PWV in all women (p=0.0142) and in women with a normal waist circumference (p=0.0006). Conclusion: In a population with a high incidence of obesity, the relationship between Na + and both BP and PWV is modified by the indices of obesity.