January 9, 2009--|medi| recently conducted a retrospective cohort study of their physician supervised weight loss program’s effects on hypertension. Patients were monitored over a 10-week period and had an average weight loss of 37 pounds on the program. After participation in the |medi| program for 10 weeks, the amount of patients who were classified as hypertensive or pre-hypertensive decreased by 20.8%.

The randomly selected sample size of 355 patients was 87% female and 13% male. The average age was 45. Before participating in the |medi| program, 7.6% of the patients in the study were classified as hypertensive, or having a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or greater. After participating in the program, less than 1% of patients were classified as hypertensive. The percentage of patients at risk for developing hypertension (pre-hypertensive), or having a blood pressure reading higher than 120/80, but lower than 140/90, was 25.9% before the program. After 10 weeks of participating in the medically supervised program, that percentage decreased to 13.2%.

According to Macklin E. Guzman, MPH, Director of Research & Development and Chief Compliance Officer of |medi|, "Obesity and its associated co-morbidities has become a public health problem of unprecedented proportions in this country, and medical professionals are at a unique position to properly address the needs of the overweight patient. The burgeoning effects of this crisis will continue to escalate unless people are educated on the benefits of losing weight and embracing a lifestyle of wellness." Weight loss is considered the most effective non-pharmacological therapy for lowering blood pressure in overweight and obese hypertensives. Clinical researchers have long identified the dose-response relationship between the quantity of weight loss and the drop in blood pressure. (1)

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of the United States adult population are hypertensive, about 28% are pre-hypertensive, and about 90% of middle-aged adults will develop high blood pressure in their lifetime.2 Hypertension is a co-morbidity associated with obesity. "Generally, risk estimates suggest that approximately 75% and 65% of the cases of hypertension in men and women, respectively, are directly attributable to an overweight condition and obesity." (1) By addressing weight loss, overweight and obese individuals can reduce their risk of developing hypertension and other co-morbidities associated with obesity. Other co-morbidities include diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, gallbladder disease, and depression. |medi| provides a quality weight loss and wellness program that is safe and effective for all patients.

|medi| is a physician-supervised weight loss program that helps patients lose up to 5 to 10 pounds the first week and up to 20 pounds the first month. The |medi| medical staff provides a three-step, individualized weight loss program, including FDA-approved appetite suppressants, dietary supplements, injections, and vitamins, as well as nutritional and exercise counseling. |medi| can assist individuals with shedding unwanted or unhealthy pounds rapidly, and then successfully keeping them off.

To find the location nearest you, call 1-877-MED-LOSS, or visit the website at www.mediweightlossclinics.com. For information on opening a clinic, please contact the Business Development Department at 1-866-551-MEDI.

References

1. Davy, Kevin P & Hall, John E. "Obesity and Hypertension: Two Epidemics or One?" American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology. May 2004.
2. High Blood Pressure Facts and Statistics. (2007, February 9). Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 4, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm