Weight Loss and Maintenance for Rural, African American Communities of Faith (The WORD)

Inclusion Criteria: * African American * Aged 18 and older * Have a BMI ) \> 25 kg/m² * Associated with a participating church through membership or participation in a church activity * Free of medical problems that might contraindicated participation in a behavioral weight reduction program containing an exercise component * Individuals taking sulfonylureas who have a letter from their doctor supporting their participation in the study will be considered eligible Exclusion Criteria * Not had a heart attack or stroke in the past 6 months * Not currently on medication that might affect weight loss or require medical monitoring (i.e. insulin) * Not pregnant, not pregnant in the previous six months, or lactating * Not enrolled in another weight reduction program * Agree to complete the program assigned to them * Never had weight loss surgery * Not have lost more than 10% body weight in the previous 6 months * Not have a clinically significant medical condition likely to impact weight or any condition that makes it unlikely the participant would be available to follow the protocol for 18 months