DescriptionAn increase in the prevalence of obesity amongst American women over the last several years has raised major concern from public health professionals, as well as medical and economic professionals. With that in mind, this paper will examine the different factors and their interrelationships that have been suggested as being correlated with obesity among African American women, the environment, culture and socioeconomic status. It is widely recognized that obesity increases with the lack of income and education, and more commonly impacts the lives of African American and other minority women differently than their Caucasian counterparts. This paper will also discuss why these socio-economic factors are so prevalent amongst this particular cohort. Obesity continues to be a public health concern in the United States and throughout the world. Over seventy two million Americans are considered to be obese. It is clear that most people are aware of or have some knowledge of the health risks and discomforts of obesity. “Between 1980 and 2004, the prevalence of obesity doubled in the United States. There were no significant obesity differences that existed between women and men. Adults between forty to fifty nine years were likely to be more obese compared with older and younger individuals. There were no significant obesity differences that existed between the younger women and the oldest women (over sixty years). However, there were large disparities in obesity prevalence by race-ethnic groups among women. Non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American women were more likely to be obese than white women. Race/ethnic disparities in obesity were not observed in men” (National Center for Health Statistics, 2007).