Hypertension is a highly prevalent disorder contributing to a large proportion of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although drug therapy of elevated blood pressure can reduce the risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, such therapy constitutes significant expense for individuals over long periods of time as well as large national expenditures. In addition, the side effects of drug therapy may be significant. DITOH would provide much needed information concerning the effects of various means of weight reduction on blood pressure as possible definitive therapy for hypertension or as an approach which could be combined with reduced drug dosages.