A Randomized Trial of Recommendations for Exercise to Prevent Weight Regain (POWeR)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21 to 55 years.
• BMI of 25 to 45.0.
• Clearance for participation from their Primary Care Physician (PCP)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in a research project involving weight loss or exercise in the previous 6 mos., as these proximal experiences may impact the results of this study.
• Participation in a regular exercise program (i.e., > 500 kcal/wk. of planned activity as estimated by questionnaire)
• Not weight stable (+ or - 4.5 kg) for 3 mos. prior to intake.
• Unwilling to be randomized to 1 of 3 exercise groups subsequent to weight loss.
• Pregnant during the previous 6 mos., lactating, or planned pregnancy in the following 15 mos.
• Serious medical risk such as type 1 diabetes, cancer, recent cardiac event (i.e., heart attack, angioplasty, etc.). This is determined by the individual's physician via the clearance to participate in the investigation and the health history (Appendix) interpreted by the staff physician.
• Eating disorders as determined by the Eating Attitudes Test using a score of 20 or greater
• Current treatment for psychological problems, or taking psychotropic medications
• Medications known to significantly affect weight (gain or loss).
• Adherence to specialized diet regimens, i.e., multiple food allergies, vegetarian, macrobiotic, etc.
• Do not have access to grocery shopping and meal preparation (i.e. those in military, college with cafeteria plan, etc.).