system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 30-year-old African American man comes to the doctor's office for an annual checkup. He feels healthy and his only concern is an occasional headache after work. Past medical history is significant for an appendectomy 10 years ago and a fractured arm playing football in high school. His mother has type 2 diabetes mellitus, while his father and grandfather both have hypertension. He does not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use drugs. His vital signs include: pulse 78/min and regular, respiratory rate 16/min, and temperature 36.8°C (98.2°F). Physical examination reveals an overweight African American man 167 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall and weighing 80 kg (176 lb) with a protuberant belly. BMI is 28.7 kg/m2. The remainder of the examination is unremarkable. During his last 2 visits, his blood pressure readings have been 140/86 mm Hg and 136/82 mm Hg. Today his blood pressure is 136/86 mm Hg and his laboratory tests show:
Serum Glucose (fasting) 90.0 mg/dL
Serum Electrolytes: 
Sodium 142.0 mEq/L
Potassium 3.9 mEq/L
Chloride 101.0 mEq/L
Serum Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
Blood urea nitrogen 9.0 mg/dL
Urinalysis:
Glucose Negative
Ketones Negative
Leukocytes Negative
Nitrite Negative
RBCs Negative
Casts Negative
Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?
assistant
Recommend weight loss, more exercise, and a salt-restricted diet.