Churches are mixed blessing on obesity
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A U.S. sociologist says America is becoming known as a nation of gluttony and obesity, and religion is playing a dual role.
Ken Ferraro, a Purdue University professor of sociology, analyzed the religious practices and body mass index, often referred to as BMI, of more than 2,500 people during an eight-year period from 1986 to 1994.
He found that the use of religious media resources, such as television, books or radio, was a strong predictor of obesity among women. However, the more often women attended religious services, the less likely they were to be obese, according to the study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
The study also found that men were less likely to be obese if they sought counseling and comforting through religious sources.
Ferraro suggests organized walks with the pastor after services instead of doughnuts and coffee and serving fruit and vegetables instead of heavy casseroles at church suppers.
Obesity and Religion