Strength Training and Nutrition Development for African American Youth

Inclusion Criteria:

* Overweight (≥85th BMI percentile)
* African American: Children will initially be defined as African American if they and both parents and all 4 grandparents self identify as African American.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes: Children will not be eligible for participation if they have any diagnostic criteria for diabetes, including polyuria, polydipsia with or without unexplained weight loss, fasting plasma glucose \>126 mg/dl, or a 2-hour plasma glucose \>200 mg/dL during an OGTT using a dose of 1.75g glucose/kg BW (to a maximum of 75g). Children will also be excluded if they test positive for diabetes-related auto-antibodies, including ICA512 and GAD. Children testing positive for type 2 diabetes will be referred for treatment. Children with impaired glucose tolerance (fasting glucose \>100 mg/dL or 2-hour glucose \>140 mg/dl during an oral glucose tolerance test) and/or conditions associated with insulin resistance (e.g. acanthosis nigricans, hypertension, dyslipidemia, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) will be eligible, as long as they are not receiving treatment and meet other eligibility criteria.
* Weight loss or exercise program: currently involved with any weight loss or exercise program, or have been in the 6 months prior to participation
* Use of medications: taking any medications known to influence body composition or insulin action/secretion (e.g. prednisone, ritalin, growth hormone)
* Syndromes that influence body composition: diagnosed with syndromes or diseases that may influence body composition and fat distribution (e.g. Cushing syndrome, Down syndrome)