CARE Trial: Comparing Different Levels of Calorie Reduction for Weight Loss

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 21-75

- Body mass index (BMI) 30-50 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

- Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure >160/100 mm Hg)

- Any of the following other medical conditions: myocardial infarction or
cerebrovascular accident within the last six months; unstable angina within the past
six months; congestive heart failure; cancer requiring treatment in past five years
(exception: non-melanoma skin cancer); serious infectious diseases (e.g.,
self-reported HIV); chronic hepatitis; cirrhosis; chronic malabsorption syndrome;
chronic pancreatitis; chronic lung diseases or orthopedic problems that limit physical
activity

- Current use of any of the following medications: antipsychotic agents, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors, systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics for HIV or TB, or
chemotherapeutic drugs; prescription weight loss medications (past six months)

- Unwilling or unable to do any of the following: give informed consent; read English at
the 5th grade level; accept random assignment; travel to the intervention site

- Likely to relocate out of the area in the next 2 years

- Participation in another randomized research project

- Weight loss > 10 pounds in past six months

- History of bariatric surgery

- Major depressive or psychiatric disorder, or excessive alcohol intake

- Potential participants living farther than 30 miles driving distance from UAB will be
excluded from the study.

- Potential participants (female) that are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the
next 18 months will be excluded from participation in the study. This is a weight loss
study and weight gain/loss due to pregnancy and/or delivery would confound study
results. Additionally, weight loss is not recommended for pregnant women.