There were several studies in this two-center project (R01HL41330 and R01HL41332). Obese subjects, male and female, were recruited at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Minnesota. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups: no treatment control, standard behavioral nutrition program, standard program with incentives, standard program with food provision, and standard program with both incentives and food provision. The effectiveness of the treatments was analyzed by assessing changes in body weight, coronary heart disease risk factors (lipids, blood pressure, insulin, and glucose) and process variables (eating and exercise behavior, knowledge, barriers to adherence) at six month intervals for eighteen months.