A recent study suggests that because some religions treat food as a “celebratory good,” often high in fat, some have a higher percentage of obesity than others.
The study concluded that religious shepherds need to encourage more physical activity to help keep congregants fit. Otherwise, churches will be just another factor adding to the nation’s obesity epidemic.
In many contexts, religion – prayer, meditation and social interaction – is positive for people’s health, said Ken Ferraro, professor of sociology at Purdue University and senior author of the study, who has researched body weight since the 1980s.
But even though many religions encourage restraint, “gluttony” has almost become an accepted vice, Ferraro wrote, and “one of the few available sources of earthly pleasure.”
“We don’t take this behavior seriously,” Ferraro said.
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Ferraro said each religion has different attitudes and behaviors, and he wanted to see how each one’s characteristics might lead to obesity.
Some religions don’t differentiate between the body as a temple of God and the spiritual mind, while others don’t see a connection between body weight and spirituality, he said.
Ferraro found that Baptists had the highest percentage of obese individuals. Baptist women were even more likely to be obese. Fundamental Protestants had the second-highest rate.
It’s time for that gluttony resolution, eh?
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