Many factors play a role in obesity trends among populations and cultural factors may be one of the strongest contributors. The use of racial identity theory, acculturation, and multicultural competencies to support the development of new physical and mental health models for people of color has been a major focus of research for one Mason researcher. In this presentation, Dr. Regine Talleyrand, associate professor and coordinator of counseling and development in the College of Education and Human Development, discusses her groundbreaking analysis of the relationships among stress, race and eating disorders in African American women.