Weight reduction in the prevention and treatment of hypertension: a review of representative clinical trials.

Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and weight reduction is currently advocated as a nonpharmacologic approach for the management of hypertension. Results of clinical trials indicate weight reduction is effective in preventing and treating hypertension. Knowledge of the results of clinical trials is extremely important for health educators since: 1) these findings provide a scientific basis for educating other health professionals about the beneficial effects of dietary approaches to the management of hypertension; 2) discussion of these results with patients may provide a means for altering patients' expectations and achieving improved treatment compliance; and 3) the processes by which clinical trials have achieved their dietary goals can provide health educators with extensive clinical experience upon which to draw in working with nonstudy patients. The content and general results of clinical trial programs are reviewed as well as features associated with health promotion in clinical trial and behavioral weight loss research.