Education, Counseling, and Drug Therapy to Reduce Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: Body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 45 Live in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area Willing and able to complete a 12-week weight loss program Meet at least 3 of the following 5 criteria: 1) waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women; 2) fasting triglycerides higher than 150 mg/dl; 3) high density lipoprotein (HDL) lower than 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women; 4) systolic blood pressure (BP) of 130 mmHg or higher or diastolic BP of 85 mmHg or higher; 5) fasting glucose of 100 mg/dl or higher Exclusion Criteria: Any medications, including dietary supplements, that could interfere with the study Medical conditions contraindicating a diet and exercise weight loss program History of congestive heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease Current diagnosis of cancer Hospitalization for a psychiatric condition within 12 months prior to study entry Weight loss medications within 6 months prior to study entry Change in body weight greater than 5% within 6 months prior to study entry Consumption of more than 21 alcoholic drinks per week Current participation in another clinical trial OR living in the same household with another participant in this study Currently exercising for more than 30 minutes, 3 times per week Fasting blood glucose higher than 125 mg/dl BP higher than 145/90 Triglycerides higher than 500 mg/dl Training as a health care provider or health scientist Pregnancy or breastfeeding