Using the Energy Gap to Prevent Weight Regain

Inclusion criteria

• All ethnic groups and both genders
• Age: Lower age limit: 19 years; Upper age limit: 45 years
• Body-mass Index: Lower BMI limit: 30 kg/m2; Upper BMI limit: 40 kg/m2 and weight stable within +/- 5 pounds in the last 6 months, and currently at maximum non pregnant body weight (+/- 5%)
• A negative treadmill stress test or subsequent follow up cardiac testing for cardiac ischemia.

Exclusion criteria

• History of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, & unstable angina, or uncontrolled hypertension ( > 140/90 mm Hg)
• Currently smoking or stopped smoking in the last 12 months
• Medications affecting weight, energy intake, or energy expenditure in the last 6 months
• Use of oral steroids within the last 12 months
• History of stroke or seizures, thyroid disease, type 1 or 2 diabetes, Cushings syndrome, cerebrovascular, renal disease, hepatic disease, arrhythmias
• Cancer requiring treatment in the past 5 years, with the exception of skin cancers other than melanoma
• Infectious diseases: Self-reported HIV positivity or Active tuberculosis
• Weight loss or weight gain of > 5% in past 6 months for any reason except post-partum weight loss
• Likely to move away in next 1.5 years
• Inability to adhere to the program such as inability to increase walking
• Currently pregnant, lactating or less than 6 months post-partum
• Major psychiatric disorder: Exclusions related to medications -Antipsychotic agents (these include, but are not limited to: Haldol, Loxitane, Mellaril, Navane, Prolixin, Stelazine, Thorazine, and Trilafon)
• Current depression by history or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
• Currently being treated for psychological condition