Posted on 08/26/2019 4:18:54 AM PDT by robowombat
More obesity among black men who attend church often
Black men who attend church almost daily are nearly three times more likely to have obesity than those who never (or very rarely) attend, a new study shows.
Moreover, the study found health differences across denominations: Among black Americans, Catholics and Presbyterians had lower odds of diabetes than Baptists.
The obesity epidemic, like many deleterious outcomes in America, has disproportionately affected the black population, researchers say. While nearly one-third of all men and women have obesity, the rate jumps to nearly one-half (48.4%) among African Americans, putting them at greater risk for diabetesand cardiovascular disease, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Previous studies have noted a connection between religious attendance and obesity. However, the new report in the Journal of Religion and Health explores that relationship with a specific lens on black Americans who, based on a 2014 study from Pew Research Center, are more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to believe in God, consider religion important, attend church frequently, and read prayer and scripture.
Self care and Faith “Historically black churches have been a source of spiritual and social support, but greater religious engagement must also support good health behaviors,” says lead author Keisha L. Bentley-Edwards, assistant professor of general internal medicine, associate director of research, and director of the health equity working group at the Cook Center at Duke University.
“Both men and women who are active members of their churches are being pulled in a lot of directions outside of their faith community, which can make self-care a lower priority than what is warranted. We want them to make faith and health priorities in their lives, rather than faith or health.”
Researchers used data from the National Survey of American Life to study the intertwining of faith behaviors and health outcomes for more than 4,300 African American and Afro-Caribbean Christians.
The findings show that black men who attend services “nearly every day”—the shortest interval tracked—were roughly three times as likely to have obesity than those never attending or attending less than once a year.
Detecting the reason for this high obesity rate—and, specifically, the negative relationship that exists for men but not women—will require further inquiry, the authors say.
Denominational Differences Researchers have begun to understand how obesity can spread through social networks. For those frequenting the church, the authors write, the space “may facilitate the transfer of obesity” through shared social norms.
The authors also built upon prior research that showed, when considering multiple races across Christian denominations and other faiths, obesity is most prevalent among Baptists. While the authors note no faith-based disparities in obesity rates in their study of black Christians, they found Baptists are significantly more likely to have diabetes than either Presbyterians or Catholics.
The researchers hope that future studies comparing other diabetes risk factors will help explain the increased prevalence of the disease among Baptists. They also posit that denominational differences in attitudes towards one’s body—for example whether one considers the body “a vessel through which members serve God”—may drive these results.
Above all, the researchers suggest the importance for greater finesse in religious health interventions, including the need to potentially tailor these strategies through faith, rather than a uniform approach.
“Although researchers and practitioners have used historically black churches as sites for health promotion initiatives, the nuances within and between denominations are often lost, which may impact the effectiveness of their programs,” Bentley-Edwards says. “We need novel understandings of the indicators that protect and diminish health outcomes.”
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities funded the work.
Written by: Lucas Hubbard-Duke
First published 15.08.19: https://www.futurity.org/church-obesity-african-american-men-religion-2133452-2/
Very possible. Our body types are in our DNA. Most of the people in my family are very small boned so we have to watch about osteoporosis. I have a genetic predisposition for high cholesterol and can’t take meds for it so I have to eat right and exercise to keep it below high normal. My body shape is what it is but I can control most of my weight and health issues. A lot of black people down here have the huge buttocks and thighs while their upper body will be smaller. I’m sure it wouldn’t be as bad if they ate in a more healthy way because fast food and church dinners are not helping.
That just about sums up every critter that’s passed through my yard since New Year’s........*chuckle*
I feel bad about complaining about my foot now. :-) I’ll be 65 in October and until last November I was exceptionally active. I rode a mountain bike on trails 15-20 miles two or three days a week and walked 3-5 miles the other days that I wasn’t riding. I don’t know if riding trails is in my future after this but I have a road bike I can take on easier Greenways. This summer has been tough but thankfully it’s almost over. If I want the foot to be normal again though I have to baby it for a while longer. We have a zero-turn Kubota riding mower that until this summer my husband was able to use but with his dizzy spells and weak legs it’s a little dangerous for him. My daughter loves to zip around on it so getting her to mow the yard is no problem. I don’t like it. I’m left handed and it gives me a problem. I have used it but I go pretty slow so it’s better to let them do it. I don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have a daughter and son-in-law that were both raised on a farm to help with the work.
Prayers for your recovery. Being disabled is a fear of mine and I always feel badly for anybody that is.
And what is the quantity of obese black men attending church nearly every day?
Is this REALLY a crisis?
You mean to tell me thats not how Jesus did it after His sermon on the mount?
lol..not the point but that may be where it all started!
“My exception is Okra. I love fried okra if it’s well done.”
I grill our Okra on our grill, and my Okra hating wife, adult kids/grandkids and other relatives/friends who hate Okra love it.
It is simple to prepare. After washing it pat it dry and spray or pour EVO on it and season with what ever seasoning you want. Let it set for about 30 minutes before putting on the charcoal grill.
We let most of our meats, fish, chicken sit for about 10 minutes covered after cooking. That is when I grill the Okra.
When I remove the main course from our grill, my wife covers it with Aluminum foil for the post cooking setting.
Then, I put the seasoned/oiled Okra on the grill for about 5 minutes per side. I want to mark/sear it not grill it into eternity.
After it is done on both sides my wife puts it and any grilled corn into a covered dish while I slice the main course.
Everything is then served at the same time. Often I grill ears of fresh corn during the Okra cooking process and the grilled ears of corn go into the Okra serving dish.
We seldom have any left overs of the Okra or corn. Guests of all ages usually have seconds if they try one good bite.
This study ignores many studies which show that regular church goers live longer than those who don’t go to church.
One good thing is, I was able to get handicap tags for our cars through our primary doctor (we're both so fried we each have our own specialists LOL), so either of us can generally get front door parking anywhere we go.
I found him, but thank you.
Believe it or not, you can completely skip coating okra in either flour or cornmeal and still fry it up really crisp. That’s how I’ve been doing it for some years now. It’s also delicious grilled or broiled until browned and crisp.
Peach
Well, at least we know that booze isn't contributing to this problem... right?
I’ll have to do that. As long as it isn’t slimy I’m fine to try it!
The black diet in general, is horrible.
Watch “The Magic Pill” on Netflix, it will open your eyes.
I’ll try that. I tried air frying it and it was awful. I wonder if I could use the George Foreman grill and do it? I’ll experiment. :-)
I’m glad you have young family you can rely on to help. We gave the daughter and son-in-law a few acres on the farm and I dog-sit their dog during the day while they work or take vacation so I guess it all trades out. LOL
Was gonna say, all of those after-church spreads with fabulous soul food.
Open my eyes to what? Keto propaganda? No thanks! I don’t want to die of heart disease, cancer, or organ failure. I’ll stick with my whole food, plant-based diet that I’ve been on for a decade and has literally been the best thing that has ever happened for me.
I mostly eat meat/poultry/pork/eggs and veggies & fruits.
I throw in some yams and potatoes too.
I’m extremely active, and care about sports performance, so I have some carbs.
As opposed to the propaganda put out by Big Food and Big Pharma?
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