Authors' recommendations: Greater weight loss correlated positively with greater reductions in blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors regardless of which weight loss intervention was used. Dietary only interventions achieved greater initial weight loss than physical activity only interventions with the greatest weight loss occurring around 6 months. However, only lifestyle interventions that combine dietary changes and physical activity have been shown to produce significant differences in weight loss beyond 12 months. A lifestyle intervention and comprehensive metabolic risk factor management program resulted in weight loss associated with a substantial reduction in the symptom burden and symptom severity of atrial fibrillation. Motivational Interviewing (MI) was effective in bringing about long-term improvements in walking, and cholesterol levels, and was particularly effective for patients with elevated baseline levels of CVD risk factors. In overweight or obese individuals at increased cardiovascular risk, Mediterranean diets appear to be more effective than low-fat diets in inducing clinically relevant long-term changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers, with evidence from one study demonstrating a lasting benefit of Mediterranean diets for 2 years after the beginning of the diet.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/nov-2014/RC0564-002%20Obesity%20Interventions%20in%20Hypertension%20or%20CVD%20Final.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)