Fit Body and Soul is single-blinded, cluster- randomized trial of a faith-based adaptation of the GLB program compared with a health education intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Self-described African American
• BMI ≥25kg/m2
• Planning to remain within the community for 1 year
• Non-diabetic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl following at least an 8-hr fast or A1C≥7.0%
• HIV/AIDS
• Active tuberculosis
• Cancer requiring treatment in past 5 years except for cancers that have been cured or in the opinion of the researchers has a good prognosis
• Stroke within the past 6 months
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Currently pregnant or planning pregnancy within the study period
• Gastric weight-loss surgery
• Weight loss > 10% in past three months for any reason other than childbirth
• Anti-diabetic medications
• Prescription weight- loss medications
• Anti-neoplastic agents
• Anti-psychotic agents that have gluco-corticoid effect
• Oral corticosteroid use >6 weeks
• Unwilling or unable to give informed consent
• Unable to communicate with the church team or research group
• Participation in another research study that would interfere with FBAS