For the millions of Americans who are overweight, new research provides one more reason to resolve to shed a few pounds in the new year. Even modest weight loss can lead to long-term reduction in blood pressure.

But as anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows, keeping the pounds off is not easy. Study participants had a hard time maintaining weight loss, which highlights the need for weight-loss programs that keep shrinking waistlines from expanding again.

The study included nearly 1,200 overweight men and women aged 30 to 54 who had blood pressure in the upper range of normal, meaning that they were at risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension (140/90 or greater).

The participants had systolic blood pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) that was lower than 140 and diastolic blood pressure (the second number) ranging from 83 to 89.

Overall, participants in the weight-loss group shed pounds, while those in the control group gained weight. At 6, 18 and 36 months after the study began, blood pressure was significantly lower in the weight-loss group than in the control group.

In the one-fifth of people who lost the most weight, diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure dropped an average of 7 and 5 points, respectively. In contrast, diastolic pressure dropped only 0.7 points and systolic pressure rose 2.5 points in those in the bottom one-fifth of weight loss group.

The researchers also report that people in the weight-loss group were less likely to develop high blood pressure.

But the drop in high blood pressure disappeared when participants regained the weight they had lost, the report indicates. In people who lost weight only to regain it, blood pressure readings crept back up to nearly the same level as they had been before they lost weight.

The results of the study leave no doubt that weight reduction is a worthwhile objective for people:

• whose body weight is higher than ideal

• whose blood pressure is already high

• who are at risk for hypertension

But an accompanying editorial points out that just 13% of people in the weight-loss group were able to maintain their weight loss for 3 years.

Annals of Internal Medicine 2001;134:1-11, 72-74

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The fact that losing weight is good for your health is not earth-shattering news. However, it is nice to see it documented here in the hard-core internal medicine literature. So how to lose the weight for good, and subsequently lower your blood pressure as well? Here are my top two recommendations: Follow the dietary guidelines outlined on this site, including eliminating grains and sugar from your diet. Exercise regularly. Most overweight hypertensive patients require about six to nine hours of relatively intense exercise per week (working hard enough where you have problems comfortably talking to someone). Related Articles: Exercise Alone Can Help Weight Loss Obesity Experts Urge More Exercise Even Modest Weight Loss Is Good For Your Health More On Exercise Exercise Works, Even in Small Doses