Community-based Obesity Treatment in African American Women After Childbirth

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Self-identification as African American
2. Self-report pre-pregnancy BMI between 25-49.9 kg/m2
3. Measured BMI at baseline between 25-49.9 kg/m2
4. Philadelphia WIC participant
5. Singleton birth
6. Between 1 and 6 months postpartum
7. Own a cell phone with an unlimited text messaging plan
8. Able to participate in light physical activity (walking)
9. Participants must be willing to comply with all study-related procedures
10. Participants must be able to read and write fluently in English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. BMI ≤ 24.9 or ≥ 50.0 kg/m2
2. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 160 or diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHg). Participants with controlled hypertension on medication for at least three months are allowable.
3. Known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
4. Known congestive heart failure
5. Known diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
6. Known thyroid disease
7. Any major active rheumatologic, pulmonary, hepatic, dermatologic disease or inflammatory condition requiring steroids or immune modulating medications
8. History of testing HIV positive
9. Current smoker or tobacco user. Participants with < 5 cigarettes daily are allowable
10. Current or recent history (past 6 months) of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
11. Participation in any weight control or investigational drug study within 6 weeks of screening
12. Current consumption of any of the following medications: appetite suppressants, anti-psychotics, lipase inhibitors
13. Serious or unstable medical or psychological conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the subject's safety for successful participation in the study
14. Gastrointestinal Disorders (gallbladder disease, Crohn's disease, etc)
15. Previous weight loss surgery
16. History of bulimia or anorexia