A Culturally-Tailored Weight Loss Program

OBJECTIVES:

• To develop a weight loss intervention for obese African American women who are breast cancer survivors.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention groups.

• Group 1: Participants receive traditional individual dietary and exercise counseling in combination with the Weight Watchers weight loss program for 18 months.
• Group 2: Participants receive individual dietary and exercise counseling in combination with the Weight Watchers weight loss program as in group 1. They also receive spiritual counseling that incorporates meditation, readings, and the recording of thoughts into a long-term weight management program. The program addresses coping with stress, setting priorities, dealing with emotional issues that trigger old behavior patterns, and developing accountability for following desired diet and exercise patterns.