Secondary Prevention of Stroke Through Non-drug Therapeutic Weight Reduction

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of ischemic stroke * Age: 20 - 85 years * BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m² or waist circumference in men ≥ 94cm and in women ≥ 80cm * Functional impairment, which would allow to participate in weight reduction program (mRS 0-4, NIHSS 0-12) * Patient must be capable of understanding informed consent * Written informed consent for participation in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Intracerebral hemorrhage as primary cause of stroke (secondary hemorrhage is not an exclusion criterion) * Speech disturbance (aphasia or sever dysarthria) * Dimming of consciousness * Stroke due to arterial dissection or coagulation disorder * Drug-related weight changes during previous 3 months * Changes in appetite influencing medication listed in appendix during previous 3 months * Bariatric surgery in the past * Diabetes mellitus with a history of severe ketoacidosis * Pregnancy or nursing * Severe co-morbid disorders, e.g.: * AV-Block ≥ 2nd degree * Heart insufficiency (NYHA \> 2) * Pericarditis, pericardial effusion * Severe kidney insufficiency (Creatinine \> 3 mg/dl; Urea \> 150 mg/dl) * Hepatic insufficiency (GOT \> 3 x ULN; GPT \> 3 x ULN) * Severe psychiatric disease within the last six months (psychosis, suicide attempts) * Chronic alcohol addiction or drug addiction * HIV- or hepatitis infection * Bleeding peptic ulcer (unless there is radiological evidence of healing 6 months prior to start of obesity program) * Cognitive impairment with MMSE \< 20 * Depression with BDI \> 20 * Patients who are unable to give consent to study participation (MMSE \< 20, aphasia) * Recurrent stroke or myocardial infarction in the period between screening for study participation and start of weight reduction program * Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial