Weight Loss Achieved by Participants with Hypertension/Elevated Blood Pressure in a Diabetes Prevention Program

In light of new national guidelines by the AHA/ACC that recommend lifestyle intervention as the primary mode of treatment for adults with hypertension (HTN), we assessed weight loss achieved by adults that had a HTN diagnosis and/or a measured blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg in an intensive lifestyle change intervention provided by lifestyle coaches using the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) curriculum. From 2008-2016, 6,418 participants enrolled in the Montana DPP, and 55.8% (n=3,582) had HTN/BP on enrollment. Participants with HTN/BP were significantly older, weighed more at baseline, had greater fasting glucose, and attended more sessions than did other participants (Table). After the 16-week core sessions four months), participants in both groups achieved significant weight loss. Results from the logistic regression model indicated that the factors independently associated with achieving 7% weight loss were being female [AOR 0.57, 95% 0.44-0.74], having low prediabetes risk score of 3-8 [AOR 0.60, 95% 0.40-0.89], meeting the physical activity goal [AOR 1.46, 95% 1.17-1.82], and self-monitoring fat for 7-13 weeks [AOR 5.66, 95% 4.10-7.81] and 14-16 weeks [AOR 12.81, 95% 8.87-18.49]. These data suggest, the DPP is likely an effective method to support adults with HTN/BP in making recommended lifestyle changes and decreasing an important blood pressure risk.