The initiative was developed as a result of consultations with the NHLBI Ad Hoc Committee on Minority Populations, the Conference on Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Populations, and the Indian Health Service. The need for the study was reinforced by the preliminary data from the Strong Heart Study confirming the high prevalence of obesity in American Indians. The initiative was approved by the Clinical Applications and Prevention Advisory Committee in February 1992 and given concept clearance by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council in May 1992.