Do You Go to Church? You’re More Likely to Be Fat
- Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:13pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The more you go to church, the more likely you are to be fat.That’s the conclusion from a new study from Northwestern University, which found that young churchgoers who go to services weekly, or more, were much more likely to become obese in their middle-age years than those who rarely, or never, attend:
What’s to blame? One of the authors said a culture of eating, as well as a focus on more obvious vices, could be the culprit.
“Churches pay more attention to obvious vices like smoking or drinking,” Matthew Feinstein, lead author of the research and fourth-year medical student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explained to CNN. “Our best guess about why is that…more frequent participation in church is associated with good works and people may be rewarding themselves with large meals that are more caloric in nature than we would like.”
At least on pastor agrees.
“There’s certainly a church culture around eating,” Erik Christensen, a pastor at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square in Chicago, told CNN.”What I see among congregants in their 20s and 30s is they are very fit and what I see among congregants in their 50s and 60s is disproportionate obesity.”
He also suggested a decline in church-sponsored sports activities could be to blame, while noting some irony: “What’s ironic to me is that in my congregation we are working on a childhood obesity initiative and spend a lot of time thinking about weight and food. We sit and have a potluck and talk about obesity.”
CNN explains how the study was conducted:
The new research, presented at an American Heart Association conference dedicated to physical activity, metabolism and cardiovascular disease, involved 2,433 people enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The group was tested – at first between 20 and 32 years old – for various cardiovascular disease risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. Those same tests were repeated in the same group over the next 25 years.
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Comments (151)
BurntHills
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:51pmdang. that explains the Hot German Potato Salad.
Report Post »axel@25
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:51pmYou’ll also find that the majority of nurses, NFL coaches/players, bowlers, university students, older people, accountants, mechanics, bus drivers, car salesmen, golfers, jazz musicians, metermaids, politicians, novelists, etc…etc… are obese. If a sizable portion of the population is “obese”.It only stands to reason.
I suggest that maybe Al Gore can solve the problem by selling “Calorie Credits” like he does “Carbon Credits”. That way you can send a couple of bucks to the 3rd world to make yourself “skinny”. It’s supposed to make industry greener…why not use the same “logic” to make us all skinny?
I also prefer to think that Satan won‘t want to toss me on his grill because I’ll cause too many “flare-ups”…he would probably prefer a much leaner cut.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:23pmI dream of “Calorie Credits”.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:50pmperhaps a forty day fast spent wandering in the desert would solve this problem.
Who was that preacher that said fat was the “mark of the beast?” Anyone know?
ah, who cares….
Report Post »sizemore
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:49pmI see this this as yet another attack on Christianity while pushing their “very skinny is healthy, so eat very little or none” agenda.
Report Post »The vast majority of the church goers (folks I know and have known), are not fat .. regardless the many dinners on the grounds through many years, socializing after services at times.
From this article, you’d think that church attendants just sat in church all the time, stuffing themselves. LOL!! How ridiculous!!
JohnnyJT South Philly
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:49pmNot me!
Report Post »Peraslax
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:48pmheh easy to see where this is going, Now our proud first lady can ban churches along with the McD menue
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:45pmRight……..and people who donot go to Harvard become idoits.
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:42pmThis is a bunch of bunk and beyond absurd but when CNN is involved it shouldn’t surprise anyone! At my church there only a few who are overweight! Being overweight has nothing to do with being part of a church or not! We normally don‘t go out and exercise on Sunday morning and some don’t Sunday afternoon. Watching your weight is showing respect for the body God gave us! These idiots making these statements obviously are missing on Sunday mornings at church!
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:40pm@604karen
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:32pm
Just as many skinny folks as fat ones.
*********
In the US, yes, but not in Europe. Here fat people are definitely in the minority.
Report Post »604karen
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:32pmJust as many skinny folks as fat ones.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:31pmOh good, a new way to attack believers. They haven’t tried this one yet…….let’s see if this can gain some traction.
Report Post »SusanButler
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:31pmThis is no surprise to anyone who has ever attended a Baptist covered dish supper. “Sinfully” delicious foods in massive quantities. Yum.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:41pmyou got that right
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:30pmA new poll confirms those that attend church regularly, are less likely to burn forever in the fiery depths of hell.
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:33pmThere is no hell or heaven. But there is diabetes, obesity, haeart desease, etc. Fact!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:41pmNo Baik, YOUR opinion about heaven & hell isn’t a fact…FACT
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:46pmThe fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Neither fools nor wise men deny disease.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:37pmThanks for the laugh, teddrunk, I needed it!
Report Post »bassist237
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:28pmWhen I saw this on google news this morning, I looked at the list of people reporting this… MSNBC.. CNN… to name a few. And then I thought it’s not even worth the title. Then on even further thought, being fat has nothing to do with religion. Being fat has everything to do with the individual, their genetics, and their EATING HABITS… HELLO ? What a guise to get people to think of church as “bad” yet again. I am sorry, but I have gone to church for 26 year, and I still have a slim build.
Report Post »razberry379
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:27pmI would rather be fat and faithful than a skinny *&%$#
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:26pmdid tax money pay for this ridiculous study?
so, contemplating the results of this study, and comparing it to how many obese citizens are in the U.S. we should assume that the majority of the population is church going ?
stupid people doing stupid studies get stupid results
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:25pmDo you do research studies for a university? You’re more likely to be inane.
Report Post »123gone
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:24pmI‘d bet a dolar to a donut that this study was funded by a govm’t grant – Real important stuff here.
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:36pm@123gone
Report Post »Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:24pm
I‘d bet a dolar to a donut that this study was funded by a govm’t grant
******
The same government that send you your disability check and allows you to have medical care without paying the true cost? Or did Jesus invent Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare?
Czar Casm
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:33pmRemember 123GONE, your poor white folk according to “Baikonur the Biggot’.
Report Post »Joe Camel
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:24pmSince no one goes to church today, how would they possibly know these things?
Report Post »More hooey for the masses I guess. So now God makes you as a Christian fat, unlike the rest of the herd….
nacilbuper
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:23pmFAT and HAPPY!
Report Post »Run Silent
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 7:44pmB u d d h a ! ! !
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:23pmPoor Glenn. As advertisers of legitimate companies have left his show in droves in the past year, he is forced to shill for anyone who will advertise on his show:
‘Sponsored Link: Why would a geologist risk his life for a penny stock in one of the most isolated regions on the planet? To meet with the CEO of the tiny gold firm, which could pay you 390% or more in the next 12 months. For the incredible story, click here. ‘
Glenn, do you feel guilty about being a snake oil salesman to ignorant, innocent simple people? Or do you think that a disclaimer such as ‘do your own homework’ absolves you of the moral crime of inflaming and misleading the white poor?
Report Post »capecodsully
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:29pmLibs talking about moral crimes? Too funny.
Report Post »604karen
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:30pmGo troll on the Huffington Post.
Report Post »Czar Casm
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:11pmBAIKONUR, you didn’t mention that your beloved Huffpo article that you get your nuggets of wisdom from also mention advertisers not wanting to go on obberman and maddow, etc for the same reasons. And are there political groups actively in the face of advertisers on the maddow/obermann shows as there are regarding Becks show?
Watch Beck next time and tell us ignorant poor white folk where we’re being misled. Take notes and let us know. Seriously. I can think for myself and don’t take what anybody says as fact until I check it out myself. But you must be superior and not a poor white folk. Tell me some facts o’ wise one.
Report Post »Slayer
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 2:30amYou think they’re leaving Glenn in droves, you should see how they’re leaving Obama!
Report Post »bobodu
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 9:06amAt least people leaving Obama are smart enough to wise up. Beck listeners just keep on masturbating over their TVs and AM radios day in and day out.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:22pmDo you go to church, then you’re more likely to believe in Christ Jesus too!
Report Post »king1
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:35pmfat and loving jesus, better than skinny and loving george soros opps im the devil oh yeah george is just a minion
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:36pmI agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to church has nothing to do with it. Better to fill your life with God’s word and only the individual is responsible for filling his/her mouths with food.
Report Post »ablisterin
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:11pmYeah, but they‘re gonna fix us cause we’re too stupid to know what’s best for us.
Report Post »JustaThought
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 10:24amThat’s “fat and happy”.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:19pmDo those wafers have that many calories? Come on.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:23pmIt’s the literal body of Christ, dude. Gotta be at least 10-15000 in there.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:24pmTOO F’ing funny….
yeah…all that cannibalism and wine drinking….all those Catholics ought to be fat and drunk and lazy by now.. LOL…..
i don’t know what these “scientists” really do for a living..but OF COURSE 20 and 30 year olds are fit and in shape and 50 and 60 year olds are more obese….people naturally become LESS active with age…..they also probably have LESS time to work out since they have 10-12 hour a day jobs when you factor in commuting, kids to look out for when they get home…a HOUSE to clean that doesn’t belong to their parents…and after about 35-40 your body chemistry changes and your metabolism slows down but most people do not change eating habits…
hence..young stud football player…hard body and toned becomes fat pot belly beer drinker at the 20 year high school reunion…. DUH!!!!!
Report Post »bobodu
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:52pmAll that hypocrisy has to go somewhere.
Report Post »maryslittlelamb
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 11:30amDo you know who generally aren’t fat? Druggies!! Charlie Sheen, Nick Nolte, Mick Jagger, Jarred Loughner… Oh, yes, lovely specimens of humanity! NOT!!!
Report Post »Baikonur
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:19pmVery revealing.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:21pmDid I hear the little liberal correctly. Did she really say that drinking and SMOKING increase obesity? I remember moochelle said our coward-in-chief stopped smoking (a year ago) – I didn’t believe it: he didn’t gain weight. Now I don’t believe her any more than the appointed one.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:16pmAre you big and sloppy and fat. You are more likely to die early of a heart attack. Is this really news worthy?
godlovinmom
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:25pmmakes sense to me…I don’t know about most churches and their eating habits…but Baptist women make really good pies!
Heitah
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:25pmTypo alert: “At least on pastor agrees.“ Should be ”At least ONE pastor agrees.”
TXPilot
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:27pmHmmm….I have but one question to ask……if you don’t go to church are you more likely to be evil?….pfft….
Report Post »LAM2
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:32pmPerhaps it’s because ch;urchgoers are less narcissistic than non-churchgoers and focus more on taking care of others than on self.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:36pmThose pot lucks can sure be great, but don’t forget your morning run, or in my case, ride. Used to run until I injured my knee, now on the bicycle. much less pounding on the knees.
Report Post »Czar Casm
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:40pmDidn’t know so many union protesters were church goers.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:41pmI am so sick of these studies. One day they tell you one thing, the next study will come out and say the opposite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs4X2RDvw5E
Report Post »ISeeDanger.com
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:49pmTell Glenn, no more cupcakes.
Report Post »His teaching methods are killing us…
chalkdust
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:55pmA new study says there are to many studies
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:55pmSince I began to dive into the bible and study the scriptures and spread the word of God I have lost 65 lbs. I decided that since my body is a temple I didn’t want the holy spirit to live in a slum.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:58pmwow..these mfkrs are really desperate to dis the religious kids…they will try anything and everything to help evil triumph…
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:18pmWhen I go to Mass this weekend, I’m going to look around. By the way, I’ve lost over 30 pounds in the last two months and am still going to church. When I reach my goal weight in 20 more pounds, does this mean I’m going to stop going to Mass? NO
Report Post »sing it out
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:30pmOh, having grown up in Southern Baptist churches all my life (19 years), I can tell you, there’s nothing better than church potluck! But I disagree that it makes you fat – sure, it’s easy to overdo it at the dessert table, but that’s what self-control and exercise is for!
Report Post »LittleLordFauntleroy
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:37pmThe fullness of the spirit.
Report Post »Leadthemtothelight
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:02pmThere seem to have been alot of articles this week bashing christians ……I wonder is next week bash a liberal week?
Report Post »ablisterin
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:08pmI‘d say we’re more content and not out chasing the world’s tail. The things I strive for are not of this world anyway. Personally, I don’t wanna hang around this evil place any longer than God has planned for me.
Report Post »SeasonOfReason
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:40pm@LAM2
Report Post »Believing that the creator of the universe listens to you and that you can enact changes in the real world by appealing to him is the height of narcissism.
waggie
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:53pmAre you kiddin’ me?
Report Post »SeasonOfReason
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 6:06pmNo.
Report Post »foobear
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 8:16pmEveryone needs to watch this lecture from UCSF on nutrition:
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
HEARDENOUGHCRAP
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:23amAt my church, they are starting to wake up to this problem. There is a push on to have our fellowship dinners, and brunches but make them healthier. I think that everyone is becoming more aware about what they eat. Compared to the rest of the world, Americans do seem to be on the hefty side. but they are also becoming aware that diets don’t work. Eating healthier, and doing moderate exercise will win in the long run. There is no need to starve ones self, or deprive ourseves of the things we like. We just have to be smarter about it, and reduce the gluttony. In case there are those that are not aware, gluttony is also a SIN.
Report Post »Independent1
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:30pmI like pie. Can I visit the Baptists?
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 8:21pmSo how did they decide which lifestyle questions to ask the participants? I dunno, people whose favorite color is blue might have different eating habits than people who prefer purple.
How about whether they prefer carpet, tile, or wood floors?
Whose idea was the “churchgoing” question? Is that the only lifestyle element in the study which correlates with obesity?
Report Post »What I want to know is what ARE they eating at those potlucks. Magic church meals– eat one a week and by the time you‘re 50 you’re obese.
C’mon CNN, explain how the study was conducted…