Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise

Participants in the weight loss arm will receive an intensive group-based behavioral weight loss program. In the first six months of the intervention, all participants in the weight loss arm will be given skill-based diet and exercise prescriptions for weight loss and will be taught specific cognitive and behavioral skills to assist in the modification of their eating and exercise habits. Participants will meet weekly for 6 months in group sessions led by a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, or behaviorist and will follow a structured protocol. This intervention strategy is modeled on interventions that have been successful in other overweight populations and is similar to the programs implemented in our ongoing studies, such as Look AHEAD. With this intervention, women are expected to lose on average of 7-9% of their initial body weight.

Women randomized to the Structured Education Program will be invited to participate in hour long group educational sessions at months 1, 2, 3, and 4. At months 6, 9 and 15, the groups will meet again for group support sessions. The content of these education and support sessions will include information about weight loss, physical activity, healthy eating habits and general health promotion. The educational sessions will be delivered primarily in a group format, with individual make up sessions provided for participants who miss group sessions.