To determine the effects in moderately obese subjects of weight loss by combined dieting and exercise training on risk factors for coronary artery disease including lipoprotein lipids, apoproteins and blood pressure.

BACKGROUND:

Evidence appears to be fairly conclusive that obesity has adverse effects on health and longevity when the relative body weight is 40 percent above desirable weight based on insurance industry tables of weights. The close association between obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, an excess of certain cancers and other medical problems makes it imperative that interventions be directed to change the lifestyles and behaviors of individuals who are overweight. The Stanford Weight Control Project (SWCP) trial examined the effects of weight loss on cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The Stanford Weight Control Project (SWCP) randomized 155 overweight, sedentary, non-smoking men, aged 30-59 years, to one of three groups. Fifty-one were assigned to weight loss through dieting, 52 to weight loss through exercise, and 52 to a control, non-intervention group. Follow-up continued through July 1989.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

Subjects were randomized to a control group, a hypocaloric National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) diet, or to a hypocaloric NCEP diet with exercise. One hundred nineteen of the men and 112 of the women returned for testing after one year.

Men and women, ages 25-49. Subjects were overweight with blood pressure less than 160/95 mm Hg and total cholesterol less than 260 mm/dl.