Effectiveness of Primary Care Physicians in Delivering Weight Control Counseling

Inclusion Criteria: * Body-Mass Index greater than or equal to 27 * Able to walk without assistance * No untreated hypothyroidism or Cushing Disease * No unstable medical or psychiatric condition * No signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease * No history of gallstones * No terminal illness * No other acute or chronic medical condition in which weight loss is contraindicated * Medically cleared for physical activity Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant, nursing or planning to become pregnant in the next year * Had an in-patient hospital stay in the last 3 months * Lost more than 10 lbs in the last 4 months * Taking an OTC or prescribed medication for weight loss * In treatment for an eating disorder * In treatment for depression (if patient is on an anti-depressant and has not had a recent episode of depression in the past 3 months then he/she is eligible)