[SLICES]
SLICES
A BIMONTHLY LOOK AT LIFE, FAITH & CULTURE
photo: Tim Freccia
DOES HAVING FAITH MAKE
YOUNG ADULTS FAT? Choke this down: New research directly ties faith involvement to obesity
A
16 / RELEVANT_MAY/JUNE 11
FAITH, FAT & THE GOVERNMENT A new Pew Research Center survey shows evangelicals are the least likely religious group to support government efforts to combat childhood obesity (which is supported by 57% of Americans):
• 56 percent
of white evangelicals said the government should not “play a significant role in reducing childhood obesity”
• 61 percent
of Catholics support the government’s role in fighting childhood obesity
• 75 percent
of black Protestants support government involvement
• 51 percent
of white mainline Protestants support the Obama initiative
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
RECENT STUDY from Northwestern Purdue University study in the late ’90s (which University’s Feinberg School of was sent to press under the awesome title “Firm Medicine suggests there may be a link Believers More Likely to Be Flabby”) found between how active people are in their Baptists were the most overweight of any group. church and how much they weigh. The The lead researcher speculated that “overweight study suggests that “young adults who frequently people may find comfort in religious settings. attend religious activities are 50 percent more Temples, synagogues and churches may provide likely to become obese by middle age as young an important source of acceptance in the midst of adults with no religious involvement.” a society that highly values fit bodies.” Which begs the question: Why? Matthew So what can people serious about their faith do Feinstein, who led research for the study, to buck this trend? Well, for starters, stop says, “It’s possible getting together once eating so much. Just because someone a week and associating good works and in your small group brought a couple happiness with eating unhealthy foods dozen donuts doesn’t mean you have to could lead to the development of habindulge. its associated with greater body weight And yes, there is some good news in and obesity.” Which puts all of those old SURVEY SAYS: all of this: Studies show people who are Check out the youth group snacks in a much more omivery religious also tend to live longer and press release nous light. Chubby bunny, anyone? are happier. Though an increased risk of about the survey, It’s not the first time researchers have heart disease seems like it could negate which has 93% found a link between faith and fat. A the happy ... more nougat.