Introduction to the special issue on achieving healthy weight in black American communities

The prevalence of obesity is high in the United States, and highest among racial and ethnic minority groups. This special issue of Obesity Reviews is based upon evidence reviews prepared for and presented at a national invited workshop convened by the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network (AACORN) in August of 2012. A set of potential topics was developed, a priori, and AACORN network members and colleagues with relevant expertise were invited to lead evidence reviews. The result is 10 articles focused on providing a comprehensive picture of what is known and unknown about interventions to prevent and treat obesity or improve weight-related behaviours in African American adults and children. Evidence reviews included in this special issue focus on children and adolescents (n = 2); adults from various perspectives (n = 5); eHealth interventions (n = 1); interventions within faith organizations (n = 1); and environmental and policy change interventions (n = 1). Overall, the reviews show a small evidence base for research on African Americans and call for additional prioritization of funding to include studies that can inform action and bring progress in obesity prevention and treatment in African Americans on par with the scope and seriousness of the problem.