Reduction of atherogenic risk factors by short-term weight reduction. Evidence of the efficacy of National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines for the obese.

Five hundred and ninety-nine overweight patients participated for at least 4 weeks in the weight reducing and physical activity promoting Diet and Fitness Center program at Duke University. Twenty-three percent were diabetic and 49% hypertensive. With only modest weight loss (11.8 kg in males and 8.2 kg in females) abnormal levels of blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides normalized. It was very rewarding to see these results achieved in a very limited period of time. Improvements in the lipid profile were consistent with the predicted outcome of obesity treatment stated by the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines.