Overweight, obesity, and blood pressure: the effects of modest weight reduction.

Abstract in brief

• Several large studies have shown that higher body mass index (BMI) is linked to increased blood pressure, especially as weight gain in adulthood raises the risk of developing hypertension.
• While weight loss is known to be effective for lowering blood pressure in obese hypertensive individuals, long-term success has been limited due to people often regaining lost weight; however, aiming for a modest weight loss of 5-10% of initial weight is now viewed as a practical and sustainable strategy.
• A modest, sustained weight loss can lower blood pressure, potentially normalize it, reduce or eliminate the need for medication, and prevent hypertension, mainly by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, regardless of salt intake.]