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Friday, November 19, 2004
Visiting Church: A Fruity Experience
For what it's worth... here's an interesting study I found on Newswise.com about Church Attendance and Eating Habits. Does this apply to you?
Are you searching for another reason to become active in your church besides spiritual sustenance? Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Public Health have discovered a link between church involvement and eating the fruits and veggies that are best for you.
“We’re saying church membership or having that church community is one of the key links in the long chain of social support structures that help people eat better,” says Deidre Griffith, the Saint Louis University researcher who will be presenting the information at the American Public Health Association conference in early November.
Jennifer Strayhorn, executive director of Hope Build, a faith-based community organization that focuses on healthy lifestyle, is Saint Louis University’s collaborative partner on the project, and will join Griffith for the presentation.
The researchers found that those who frequently attended church ate 26 percent more “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables – those fruits and veggies that contain the most nutrients – than those who didn’t, Griffith says.
Powerhouse fruits and vegetables are citrus, cruciferous – such as broccoli or cauliflower, those that have the brightest colors – dark green leafy greens or bright orange carrots and cantaloupe.
Everyone in the survey ate the most popular fruits and vegetables – corn, iceberg lettuce and bananas. But frequent church-goers – many of whom attended choir rehearsals, Bible study groups, workshop services or committee meetings each week – ate more of the stuff that researchers say offer the most nutrition.
“The body is your temple and we should treat it that way,” Griffith says. “Church can be a big part of your support system for changing your diet.”
Any thoughts?
Have a great weekend!
Todd
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November 19, 2004 in For What It's Worth | Permalink
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Comments
I must say that these researchers have WAY too much time on their hands to study something so ridiculous.
Posted by: JeffMo | Nov 20, 2004 9:56:06 AM
It seems like the stereotypical preacher is a fat man... probably likes to eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with coffee. I don't think Christians have a public image of taking care of their body at all. I would be surprised by stats stating that Church-goers are better to their body...
...Bernie
http://www.FreeGoodNews.com
Posted by: Bernie Dehler | Nov 23, 2004 1:26:49 AM
I don't think the study is ridiculous at all. It has often struck me as ironic that while Christians can be harshly critical of smokers on the grounds that "Your body is a temple," they turn a blind eye to (and actually promote)excessive consumption of sugar and other harmful foods. It is a surprise to me too that church-goers actually are eating better, because personal observation would seem to indicate otherwise. In all truthfulness, this is an area that the church should be leading the way in, not trailing behind.
Posted by: Nora | Nov 30, 2004 10:29:23 AM
