Background: This study aimed to explore the association between BMI and/or central obesity parameters and measures of arterial hemodynamics to assess the effect of obesity on function of large arteries. Methods: Data was obtained from 634 subjects undergoing health assessment at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to their Body Mass Index (BMI (kg/m{}^2) 24 normal, 24–28 overweight, \ge28 obese). In addition, central obesity was described by waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-height ratio (WHtR). Radial arterial waveforms and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) were measured with the subjects recumbent. Central arterial pressures were measured by pulse wave analysis of the radial waveform calibrated to peripheral cuff systolic (PSP) and diastolic pressure (PDP) to obtain central systolic pressure (CSP), central diastolic pressure (CDP), central pulse pressure (CPP), central augmentation pressure (CAP), and central augmentation index (cAIx). Pulse pressure was determined from the ratio of peripheral (PPP) and central (CPP) pulse pressure (PPP/CPP). Results: CAP and cAIx were lowest in the obese group (p 0.01). Pressure amplification was significantly higher as BMI increased (p 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, WC, WHtR and WHR were independent risk factors for cf-PWV (\beta = 0.120, p = 0.001, \beta = 0.103, p = 0.004, \beta = 0.092, p = 0.013), When BMI, WC, WHtR, WHR were put into the stepwise linear regression model, only WC was an independent risk factor for cf-PWV (\beta = 0.135, p 0.001). Conclusions: Central obesity (WC and WHR) measures may have greater predictive value for vascular stiffness than BMI. This possibility warrants further studies focused on arterial wave travel and its relationship with body fat distribution.