Once enrolled, all participants will receive behavioral weight loss treatment. Treatment will be 12 weeks in duration and will consist of 7 sessions. The content of sessions will provide the main elements described in behavioral therapy programs for obesity, based on empirical literature. Participants will be provided handouts, and the handout content will be based on our clinic treatment manual and published behavior therapy protocols. The program will be administered in individual 30-60-min sessions with a behavioral coach meeting every other week. This program emphasizes self-monitoring of food intake. It also emphasizes gradual weight loss, increasing physical activity, and improving diet through permanent lifestyle changes. Program topics include: self-monitoring of eating behavior, physical activity, changing the home environment and nutrition education. All treatment sessions will be conducted by licensed clinical health psychologists or psychology doctoral level students with experience in leading weight loss interventions.
