The cognitive behavioral approach to weight maintenance assumes that obese people should be concerned with weight control rather than weight loss, and it embraces both the behavioral approach and a maintenance program which examines risks, value priorities, and the basic principles of weight loss/weight gain. The University of Maryland offers a three credit course for undergraduate students dealing with weight control and maintenance using the cognitive behavioral approach. Each subject is evaluated to determine their individual problem. The evaluation process includes taking of residual volume, weighing skinfolds, and taking of height, weight, and blood pressure. Subjects also complete forms for a weekly diet diary, physiological inventories and anxiety tests, and personal history forms. After test results are fed back to the subjects they are instructed in and asked to set their program goals based on body composition, weight, and realistic expectation for the time allotment. Lessons include determination of energy expenditure, the biophysical value of muscle activity, and metabolism of carbohydrates, fat, and proteins. Psychological aspects are studied to determine their influence on hunger, appetite, and satiety. Behavior modification techniques are presented for use in cases where compulsive eating appears to be a problem. Forty individuals have completed this treatment program and have lost a total of 252.75 pounds in 14 weeks. Follow-up studies reveal that either weight loss continues or a stable weight is maintained. (DMT)