aseline characteristics
Groups were similar in all demographic and clinical measures at baseline (Table 1). A total of 6% of participants reported seeing a health professional for weight control, and 0.7% were taking aniiobesily medications. Less than 13% used outside behavioral resources for diabetes or weight management during the intervention. On average, participants reported 2.6 (SD 1.6) "health problems" (e.g., hypertension) besides diabetes. Mean HbA1 c suggested moderately good control (7.7% [SD 1.6]). Participants were taking a mean of 1.79 unique and 1.98 total diabetes medications daily at baseline. Lipid levels indicated that many parlicipants did not meet the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III targets (25) for HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; 92 (64%) participants were taking cardiovascular medications. Based on health plan data for glycemic control and LDL cholesterol levels, our population seemed to be at lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular complications than the general health plan membership with diabetes.