Health Is Power coordinator Jacque Reese-Smith said many of the women drawn to the UH program suffer weight problems, but obesity is not a criterion for admission. Applicants need only be between the ages of 25 and 60 and in relatively good health, she said. Once accepted, they are randomly divided into groups concentrating on either diet or exercise.

After health checks and introductory sessions, women are sent home to exercise — often with friends who reinforce the good behavior — and eat smarter. They keep logs of their activities, and check with the program staffers six times over 12 months.