Church Programs Help Blacks Lose Weight
New research shows obese African-Americans lost more weight on church-based fitness programs and were able to maintain the weight they lost for at least six months. Preach on!
It's not quite a weight-loss miracle but the study, presented at this year's American Heart Association's Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, involved 35 men and women with an average body mass index of 36, taking part in a faith-based diabetes prevention fitness program at Baptist church near Augusta, Georgia.
The results were good. At the end of the 12-week program 45% of participants lost 5% or more of their starting weight and 26% of participants lost 7% or more.
Then following the initial 12-week program individuals took part in six monthly booster sessions for six months and nearly 69% of participants who lost weight during the initial program managed to keep the weight off during the follow-up sessions.
Now, to further test the efficacy of church-based programs a larger study is being developed and will involve 10 church congregations in the Midwest; HealthDay News reports.
And in another act of god, evangelists in Egypt swear their stockpile of Kentucky Fried Chicken magically doubled in one afternoon. Heart disease, hypertension and stroke, halleluiah!
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There are many studies out there that say people that join support groups for weight loss or have some support face to face or by phone, do have better success at losing weight. Here, these church members not only have support but their faith as well. I would think the 2 together are a powerful help in the battle to lose weight.
ReplyNot too surprising...good things can happen when individuals come together as a group with the same common goal. Maybe other churches, groups, organizations, and even families will take notice and work together towards better health. Great to hear!
ReplySo long as the church in question isn't a cult, I'm all for it. I've seen too many make-money thingees with religion (Amway, anyone?) .... so I wouldn't be surprised if losing weight becomes paired with "buy these supplements".
Cynically yours,
Barbara
ReplyI didn't know there were weight loss programs going on in church - that's great. As a black woman myself whose seen it firsthand, I feel that there is too much emphasis on eating in church. Chicken dinners, bake sales, etc. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyAmen to that! Your two cents is worth a lot!
ReplyWhen I was a teenager, our church had a weight loss group that met after church on Sundays. I don't think it was anything super formal or anything...it was free and I think mostly it was just a group of women (and some men) that encouraged each other to stick to their eating plans and exchanged healthy recipes. I thought it was a great idea...it was a nice way to socialize with your friends and also get ideas on how to lose weight safely. I'm glad to see that a lot of other churches are doing something like this too.
ReplyNice work they did. Hey I just realized... Jesus was pretty ripped! He knew what he was doing for sure.
What if Sunday morning church had everyone on stationary bikes while they listened to all the talks?
(my bad for not being technical... I'm not religious)
This might inspire a writing topic for my blog... hmm.
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