A survey of 169 bi-racial participants of the Alabama Nutrition Program for the Elderly was conducted to establish the frequency of obesity in race and sex groups and to examine the relationship of obesity to social as well as physical well being. Physical health parameters measured included: frequency of chronic disease, days sick per month, functional capacity, and self-perceived participation and activity level. Analysis of the data revealed that significantly more women than men were obese. A significant positive relationship was found between hypertension and obesity in white women. Neither functional capacity nor sick days per month were significantly correlative with obesity. Self-perceived health among black men were inversely correlated with increased weight status. Correlations between social variables and obesity were found ony in the area of activity, which was correlated with obesity for white women and black men.