Excess body weight is a prominent public health problem, with underserved groups bearing a disproportionate burden of disease (Ogden et al., 2006; Association AH, 2005; Hartley, 2004). Understanding body weight through examining potential predictors is an important step in addressing the current obesity epidemic. A potential predictor that has not been thoroughly examined in relationship to body weight is religion. Americans are very religious (Gallup Poll GP, 2001; Worldwide DN, 2000), with certain underserved subgroups of the population reporting greater religiosity than others. Those living in the rural South and African Americans report higher rates of church attendance and membership (Scandrett, 1996). Religion's prominence in some underserved groups that bear a disproportionate burden of the obesity epidemic may play an important role in determining body weight. Data from FOODS 2000, a representative sample of a rural, impoverished area in the lower Mississippi Delta region of the US, were analyzed (total n= 1606; 787 African American and 819 Caucasian adults aged 18+). Religion was hypothesized to be associated with higher body weight; with the relationship being more pronounced in African Americans than Whites. Health behaviors (smoking, nutrition, physical activity) were expected to mediate the relationship. In Whites only, those consuming religious media at least once a week or more were 1.37 BMI units heavier than those consuming religious media less than once a week. Smoking mediated this relationship. There were no significant relationships between religion and body weight in African Americans.