Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Study 1

BMI will be calculated using weight and height measurements (weight (kg)/height (m)^2 ). Weight and height will be measured by research staff blinded to the participant's randomization group at baseline and 6-months. Participants will be weighed in light indoor clothing, without shoes, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 kg; height will be measured in a standard manner, without shoes, using a stadiometer, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 cm. All measures will be performed and recorded twice in succession.

Participants will be weighed in light indoor clothing, without shoes, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 kg. All measures will be performed and recorded twice in succession.

Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans will be performed at baseline and 6-months. The DEXA measurements will be made with a Hologic scanner (Hologic 4500 with a "Discovery" upgrade, Hologic Inc, Waltham, Mass). A whole-body scan takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Percent body fat will be measured utilizing DEXA.

All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. Immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to will be used to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.

All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. Immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to will be used to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.

All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. Immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to will be used to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.

All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. Immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to will be used to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.

Assessment of skin carotenoids will be done using Resonance RAMAN Spectroscopy (RRS). Briefly, a small scanner which shines blue light is placed on the palm of the hand for 30 seconds. The palm is cleaned with an alcohol wipe prior to the scan, A RRS reading is available after a further 30 seconds. The procedure is repeated at the same body location. Skin color is self assessed by the participants at the baseline visit using samples that are used in plastic surgery to assess skin color. Melanin content (skin color) may have a small effect on RRS, but this effect is minimized by assessing skin carotenoids in the palm, which has a lower melanin content than other body sites.

A mailed follow up will be conducted at 12-months post randomization. Questionnaires will be mailed to the participant with a pre-paid envelope for their return. Information about current weight will be conducted using this method.

The 7-Day Daily Activity Log (7-Day DAL) will be the primary measure used to compare physical activity levels at baseline and 6-months among the three groups. All participants will complete the log for seven consecutive days, recording the amount of time spent in moderate- to vigorous-intensity recreational exercise. Total minutes per week of exercise will be calculated. Participants randomized to in-person and telephone counseling will also complete the 7-day DAL weekly.

The endpoint measures of diet change will be mean, group level changes in daily caloric intake, based on a 120-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which was developed for the Women's Health Initiative Study and has been validated against 4-Day Food Records and 24-hour Dietary Recalls. FFQs will be administered at baseline and 6-months.