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

Summary The prevalence of obesity is high in the U nited S tates, and highest among racial and ethnic minority groups. This special issue of O besity   R eviews is based upon evidence reviews prepared for and presented at a national invited workshop convened by the A frican A merican C ollaborative O besity R esearch N etwork ( AACORN ) in A ugust 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 A frican A merican adults and children. Evidence reviews included in this special issue focus on children and adolescents ( n  = 2); adults from various perspectives ( n  = 5); eH ealth 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 A frican A mericans and call for additional prioritization of funding to include studies that can inform action and bring progress in obesity prevention and treatment in A frican A mericans on par with the scope and seriousness of the problem.