Severe obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other coronary heart disease risk factors (CHDRF) identified by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) have been reported to be prevalent in the black population. However, few studies have investigated CHDRF in low income black women. In response to this dearth of knowledge, we surveyed a group of black women associated with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to determine their CHDRF status, interest in changing CHDRF, and past attempts at successfully changing CHDRF. Women who agreed to participate (n=196) were enrolled or previously enrolled in the EFNEP in three counties in Georgia. All participants completed a questionnaire addressing CHDRF, and had measured weight recorded by an EFNEP employee. A sample of 52 women also had blood pressure, fasting blood lipids, and glucose determined. Results indicated that the majority of women (51%) had at least one NCEP independent CHDRF, and 32% of the sample had at least two CHDRF. Of the total sample, 54% were at least 20% greater than desirable body weight. Women were more interested in changing their body weight than their blood pressure or cholesterol (p≤.05), and were less successful at past attempts in changing their weight than attempts at changing any other CHDRF (p≤.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of CHDRF in these low income black women should be considered when planning nutrition education programs. Specifically, weight control intervention may be particularly warranted as an effective way to decrease CHDRF in this population since weight control was the CHDRF that the women most desired to change, yet the one that they demonstrated the least ability to control.