Relationship between religiosity and body weight in a rural, underserved population in the Southern region of the United States

Authors: KIM, KAREN - UAMS; JO, CHAN-HEE - UAMS; SIMPSON, PIPPA - UAMS; GOSSETT, JEFFERY - UAMS; JOHNSON, GLENDA - SOUTHERN UNIV A&M; McCabe Sellers, Beverly; THORNTON, ALMA - SOUTHERN UNIV A&M; PREWITT, ELAINE - UAMS; MCGEE, BERNESTINE - SOUTHERN UNIV A&M

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2007
Publication Date: 6/23/2007
Citation: Kim, K.H., Jo, C., Simpson, P., Gossett, J., Johnson, G.S., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Thornton, A., Prewitt, E., McGee, B.B. 2007. Relationship between religiosity and body weight in a rural, underserved population in the southern region of the United States [abstract]. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Oslo, Norway. p. 254.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Poor nutrition and physical inactivity contribute to excess body weight, which has become an epidemic in the United States and world-wide. Combating this epidemic is essential, particularly in underserved populations that bear a disproportionate burden of obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity. A social factor that has received little previous attention in relationship with body weight is religion. Data (1662 adults aged 18 and older) from the Foods of our Delta Study (FOODS 2000) were analyzed. FOODS 2000 was a cross-sectional baseline survey conducted in the southern US that assessed the nutrition and health status of a representative sample of the population of the adult population 18 years of age and older in 36 Lower Mississippi Delta counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess relationships between demographics, religion, health behaviors, and body weight. After accounting for all socio-demographic controls, religious media and religious denomination were significantly related to higher body weight. Those reporting exposure to religious radio or TV of at least once a week had a 1.0 higher BMI (approx. 5 pounds) than those reporting less than once a week of religious media consumption. Conservative Protestants had a .55 higher BMI (approx. 3 pounds) than those reporting a Black Protestant affiliation or none. Smoking was a mediator in denomination’s relationship with BMI. In this representative, rural, low-income, predominately minority US population, religious media and religious denomination were related to higher BMI. Smoking served as a mediator in these relationships.