About the Registry

The African-American Weight Control Registry is the largest investigation of long-term weight loss among African-American men and women. The registry is being established by Ann Smith Barnes, M.D., at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Little is known about weight loss in African-Americans and even less is known about long-term weight loss success. A detailed survey will be used to gather individual weight-loss histories. The survey will examine important characteristics of African-Americans who lose weight. It will explore strategies used for weight loss and for keeping weight off, as well as common struggles with regaining weight. Individuals who have lost significant amounts of weight are encouraged to share their weight-loss history whether or not they have kept off the weight or have regained it.

The information learned from the survey will be used to design programs to specifically help African-Americans lose weight and improve the outcomes of many diseases that affect the African-American community, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Link to My Weight History survey