Effects of Episodic Food Insecurity in African American Women With Obesity

Inclusion criteria

• willing to provide written informed consent
• female
• self-reported race of African American or more than one race in which African American is identified
• 18 to 65 years of age
• BMI 30 to 50 kg/m2
• reported income ≤ 250% of the federal poverty level
• ability to complete questionnaires in English
• willing to archive blood and urine samples
• willing to fast for a minimum of 8-10 hours prior to clinic visits

Exclusion criteria

• male
• self-reported race other than African American or more than one race in which African America is not identified
• reported income > 250% of the federal poverty level
• given birth within the past 6 months, currently pregnant, or plans to become pregnant within 6 months
• currently breastfeeding
• currently participating in a weight loss program
• current use of prescription or OTC medication specifically for weight loss
• recent weight loss (+/-5% weight change in last 6 months by self-report). If ppt is on a prescription medication that impacts weight but meets weight stability criteria (+/-5% weight change in last 6 months by self-report), ppt will be deemed eligible
• past bariatric surgery within the past 5 years or plans for bariatric surgery within 3 months
• active cancer or cancer treatment
• serious digestive disorders that significantly alter metabolism and weight (like uncontrolled inflammatory bowel disease)
• other conditions that affect metabolism or body weight
• current diagnosis and active treatment for alcoholism or other illicit drugs of abuse
• uncontrolled significant thyroid disorder (controlled = 6 months of medication)
• uncontrolled significant diabetes (FBS >250) or hypertension (BP >180/100)
• current diagnosis or treatment for heart failure
• serious psychiatric illness, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
• current or recent diagnosis (within last 5 years) of an eating disorder
• persons who weigh more than 380 pounds (due to scale)
• not willing to be able to re-contacted
• are unable to utilize devices and/or applications as required for study participation
• have another member of the household (same address) that is a participant in RESPONSES
• other conditions that affect metabolism or body weight as determined by the PIs and MI
• presence of any cognitive, psychiatric, behavioral, or medical disorder that, in the opinion of the PIs or MI may interfere with study participation