Diet (calorie and salt intake) and exercise (steps per day assessed with pedometers) compliance were assessed from the subjects’ own records every 2 weeks, which were recorded at private counseling sessions.
Compliance to diet and exercise during the 6-month period was considered excellent based on examination of diaries, which were monitored by experts in exercise and nutrition. Depending on the groups allocated, there occurred a stable calorie and salt intake, and physical activity (steps per day); that is, no significant differences in calorie intake and salt intake between the diet (D) alone group and the group in combination of diet and exercise (D+EX), and no significant
differences in physical activity and salt intake between the exercise (EX) alone group and the D+EX group