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Is there any correlation between religion and health?
Lavelle1980
Posts: 367 Member
Why are the unhealthiest states, cities, countries are the most religious? Example: The bible belt (states) etc.. The healthiest countries are the least religious. What's the correlation between the two? Your thoughts. Simple dialogue!
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Replies
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I googled least religious countries. China, sweeden, czhech republic.
I googled healthiest countries. Italy, Switzerland, Iceland
No correlation b/t religion and health.14 -
This paper, which I found too long to bother reading, seems to explore the subject.
http://ish-tmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Miller-Spiritualtiy-health-overview-AmPsy-2003.pdf2 -
If the correlation holds up (I will look at the paper Need2 cited), my suspicion is that there are other factors that perhaps relate to both.
States with a younger population seem to be less obese, and states that are better off economically, same. I'm sure there are many other such possible factors.5 -
I have two thoughts, Maybe look at the correlation of wealth vs. health. I venture to guess that a larger % of those in poverty or low income are religious compared to affluent. My understanding is that lower income individuals tend to have more health concerns. So it could be due to income, not religion.
Only other thought on what it could be, though I don't buy into this, is that people that are more religious may think "god" will take care of them so don't bother taking care of themselves.
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It doesn't hold for the rest of the world, but man if you look at those obesity/religion/education/income statistics for places like Mississippi and West Virginia, you'd definitely start drawing some conclusions.9
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Anyone who has ever been to a church pot luck supper, church picnic, church barbecue or prayer breakfast knows there is definitely a correlation between religion and eating. (from a southern baptist preacher's daughter) :-)
Other aspects of religion that can influence health are admonitions not to abuse substances, like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc., the social aspect which can stimulate mental health and well-being, faith in God which can create a sense of optimism and gratefulness which also creates a sense of mental well-being and possibly, a supernatural "energy" that is not yet understood by science that is experienced by the religious.
I do know there have been several studies that have linked church attendance to living longer. But I found another study which breaks it down by denomination and found that the health effects of regular church attendance were actually only found in Evangelical Protestants, probably due to the fact that they tend to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes less than the general population. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035005/
It's an interesting topic. Thanks for starting the discussion!13 -
Iamnotasenior wrote: »Anyone who has ever been to a church pot luck supper, church picnic, church barbecue or prayer breakfast knows there is definitely a correlation between religion and eating. (from a southern baptist preacher's daughter) :-)
As the son of a former deacon who married into another family, I can certainly vouch this...and every member of that family looked exactly like they ate: biscuits.6 -
can't make one statement regarding religious practice and health. Some religious practice involves refraining from particular foods that might contribute to health; some religious practice involves regular fasting; some religious practice self-denial; some religious practice does the opposite - carpe diem, treat your body however feels best, the purpose of life is to get to death and heaven, etc. Some religious practice teaches gluttony as sinful; some doesn't. Some religious practice values the physical body as a temple, some religious practice writes off the physical body as a temporary nuisance. Some religious communities feast together a lot. I'm thinking Bible Belt is both the birthplace of the Standard American Diet, and those faith communities share abundant meals together a lot, and show love with food. That's common in many American churches - Coffee and desserts for every occasion; potlucks with a bigger dessert table than entrees. But the widening girth of middle America I wouldn't tie directly with religion. Tradition, local diet, economics, living in areas where car is used to get everywhere, etc.6
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I usually only lurk, but since I'm into religious studies that deal with things like this (the things people don't often think about) and since I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist atmosphere, I felt like chiming in.
I think that economics is definitely a huge factor. Especially if we're considering the bible belt specifically.
It would be interesting to compare the health/weight of religious people (in this case, probably specifically Christians) residing in one of the least religious states to those residing in one of the most to see if it's more or less a factor of regional culture, economics, etc. or if there's something to do with the specific religious mindset (e.g. a fundamentalist church's attendees in California vs. a fundamentalist church's attendees in Alabama).
Since I know of no study off the top of my hand, if it were to turn out there's a correlation, I think it's many different factors attributing to the overall problem. From my own personal experience (growing up in the bible belt, in a very strict religious home/church, and having dealt with obesity along with many others I knew), a few possibilities:
1. Gluttony just isn't that big of a deal. When you are trying to avoid all of the other vices that will supposedly send you straight to hell, food is just safe.
2. Speaking of safe, if you are part of a social church that is also morally strict, food is the safe go-to for activities. Pot lucks, pitch-ins, picnics, bake-sells, going out to restaurants as a large group after a service, only hanging out with friends and family in eating places because you can't really go to other places (like bars, etc.)
3. Food is an easy coping mechanism for a LOT of people, regardless of religious beliefs. There are a lot of studies about strict religion and depression. If one is from a strict religion and can't turn to alcohol, sex, etc. to deal with their depression, and they can't seem to "pray it away" or get healed, then food is an easy go to. I know it was for me.
So, when you add all of the factors together - socioeconomics, culture (e.g. strict morality, internalized fears, etc.) and regional factors (e.g. heavily landlocked) - I think it just makes it a lot easier for ill health (in more areas than one). In fact, looking back at my own upbringing, the thinnest people in my church were typically the ones that weren't as strict in their morality (as far as I could tell anyhow) and/or were the ones who cared most about appearances (think the pretty pastor family sort) and were often a little wealthier to help sustain that.26 -
I'm not sure about health, but the data seems to support faith leading to happiness.
Random selection of two articles. No, I haven't woo checked them!
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/02/office-for-national-statistics-well-being-data_n_9138076.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-mortal/201212/are-religious-people-happier-non-religious-people
Maybe it's the start of a virtuous cycle of general happiness/life satisfaction leading to a greater propensity to take care of yourself, leading to better health, but that seems a bit tenuous to me.
There are also other angles where religious or cultural views venerate the, um, larger form as an indicator of wealth, fertility and so on.1 -
rashadlc1980 wrote: »Why are the unhealthiest states, cities, countries are the most religious? Example: The bible belt (states) etc.. The healthiest countries are the least religious. What's the correlation between the two? Your thoughts. Simple dialogue!
Off the top of my head I know of one Blue Zone group that's deeply religious and their way of eating is directly tied to their religious convictions, (the Seventh Day Adventist community in Loma Linda CA). As a group they experience exceptionally long life and good health, making them one of only 5 groups in the world who achieve this. It would be interesting to see if there was a similar religious adherance with the other 4 groups.4 -
rashadlc1980 wrote: »Why are the unhealthiest states, cities, countries are the most religious? Example: The bible belt (states) etc.. The healthiest countries are the least religious. What's the correlation between the two? Your thoughts. Simple dialogue!
I think there is a lot more to compare than religion when it come to the health of an area. Also have you compare different religious groups for health?
I'd say that things like availability of health care, clean water, availibility of food, walk or bikeability or outdoor recreation of the area, age of population, income level, education level, drug or alcohol issues, customary diet of the area, work hours.2 -
As an atheist fat woman, I question your hypothesis. LOL22
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I'm not sure about health, but the data seems to support faith leading to happiness.
Random selection of two articles. No, I haven't woo checked them!
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/02/office-for-national-statistics-well-being-data_n_9138076.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/more-mortal/201212/are-religious-people-happier-non-religious-people
Maybe it's the start of a virtuous cycle of general happiness/life satisfaction leading to a greater propensity to take care of yourself, leading to better health, but that seems a bit tenuous to me.
There are also other angles where religious or cultural views venerate the, um, larger form as an indicator of wealth, fertility and so on.
Reminds me of: ignorance is bliss.7 -
Too many church potlucks!5
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Which religious belief? Just Christianity or ?
Seems to be too many different factors to say that "religious" = unhealthy.
Local economy, cultural influences, ease of food availability, religious practices where dietary restrictions, etc. are in place, and other "stuff" but I'm done thinking so hard about it.
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Which religious belief? Just Christianity or ?
Seems to be too many different factors to say that "religious" = unhealthy.
Local economy, cultural influences, ease of food availability, religious practices where dietary restrictions, etc. are in place, and other "stuff" but I'm done thinking so hard about it.
The primary religion I would assume would be Christianity, since it's the main religion in the so called "Bible Belt" .1 -
sotellmedarling wrote: »I usually only lurk, but since I'm into religious studies that deal with things like this (the things people don't often think about) and since I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist atmosphere, I felt like chiming in.
I think that economics is definitely a huge factor. Especially if we're considering the bible belt specifically.
It would be interesting to compare the health/weight of religious people (in this case, probably specifically Christians) residing in one of the least religious states to those residing in one of the most to see if it's more or less a factor of regional culture, economics, etc. or if there's something to do with the specific religious mindset (e.g. a fundamentalist church's attendees in California vs. a fundamentalist church's attendees in Alabama).
Since I know of no study off the top of my hand, if it were to turn out there's a correlation, I think it's many different factors attributing to the overall problem. From my own personal experience (growing up in the bible belt, in a very strict religious home/church, and having dealt with obesity along with many others I knew), a few possibilities:
1. Gluttony just isn't that big of a deal. When you are trying to avoid all of the other vices that will supposedly send you straight to hell, food is just safe.
2. Speaking of safe, if you are part of a social church that is also morally strict, food is the safe go-to for activities. Pot lucks, pitch-ins, picnics, bake-sells, going out to restaurants as a large group after a service, only hanging out with friends and family in eating places because you can't really go to other places (like bars, etc.)
3. Food is an easy coping mechanism for a LOT of people, regardless of religious beliefs. There are a lot of studies about strict religion and depression. If one is from a strict religion and can't turn to alcohol, sex, etc. to deal with their depression, and they can't seem to "pray it away" or get healed, then food is an easy go to. I know it was for me.
So, when you add all of the factors together - socioeconomics, culture (e.g. strict morality, internalized fears, etc.) and regional factors (e.g. heavily landlocked) - I think it just makes it a lot easier for ill health (in more areas than one). In fact, looking back at my own upbringing, the thinnest people in my church were typically the ones that weren't as strict in their morality (as far as I could tell anyhow) and/or were the ones who cared most about appearances (think the pretty pastor family sort) and were often a little wealthier to help sustain that.
Wow, you make a very valid point. Bottom line: gluttony is just not a fear in church!
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rashadlc1980 wrote: »Which religious belief? Just Christianity or ?
Seems to be too many different factors to say that "religious" = unhealthy.
Local economy, cultural influences, ease of food availability, religious practices where dietary restrictions, etc. are in place, and other "stuff" but I'm done thinking so hard about it.
The primary religion I would assume would be Christianity, since it's the main religion in the so called "Bible Belt" .
I don't think you can make an argument about religion and weight when it's that specific to a particular religion and region.
There are many other things distinctive about areas that have higher levels of obesity.
I also don't think you can generalize about "Christianity" based on specific regions or types of Christianity.4 -
I googled some charts and the most distinctive things are education levels and poverty levels. Not religion.6
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It's not religion. It's just that religion happens to be part of the culture of obese people in those areas. Fat people get fat by overeating calories. They just like to eat a lot of calories in those areas while they comply with religion.
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Interesting topic. I'm not clear if there is a trend for religious people to be fatter or thinner but...
I'm struggling to pull together coherent argument but bear with me... I wonder if there is an argument that the most religious are more likely to consider their health to be in the hands of a higher power and therefore something that they are relatively powerless to affect?
In other words "The lord has made me weak and now sent me this diabetes as a cross to bear". Whereas someone who is agnostic or atheist is more likely to say - "I'm the master of my own destiny and my health is my choice".
That is not to say that every theist or atheist would act in the way I've presented above but if a significant proportion did , that would have a net effect on the group?
Like I said, I'm struggling to put it into words and I really don't mean any offence to theists - If it comes across that way it is my clumsy writing rather than intention.6 -
Nah, I'd imagine the correlation if there is one would be rather weak.
As others have said there may be a susceptibility to religion due to poverty and poverty leading to a susceptibility to poor health outcomes.3 -
So my issue I see among the religious groups is the higher expectation of living a prosperous lifestyle that sets itself apart from everyone else. Case in point: "by His stripes we are healed" or " name it and claim it" , I'm the head but not the tail" ... and so forth...
With all these powerful passages of supposedly living an abundant life, I see no difference from believers and non- believers, but I see the cultural aspects that all (non- and believers) follow.
Growing up in church myself, I would see hundreds go to the alter call for prayer and most of the time it was for health related issues, only to see them go back and order a bucket of fried chicken from KFC. Did the prayers work? Well according to my observation, most of them died of heart disease and/or living with diabetes, wheel chair or cain, and lack of energy for the most part.
I believe it's the game of follow the leader. The Pastor is suppose to be the shepherd, and the congregation is considered his flock. I believe that the pastor/leader is responsible for the well being of his congregation since most are not taught to think for themselves, but most are only taught to have faith and believe.
For example: If you're sick, " just pray about it and trust God" whatever happens it's in His Will. If you're healed, they will thank God, but if you die, it's his will.
I can only speak of my personal experience, and observing my family members to relate to this issue.11 -
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
I thought about that too, however, even in the South in areas that are considered poverty, the diseases are in the category of Diseases of affluence and not the diseases of poverty that you see in 3rd world countries.
So the diseases of affluence is the same affect as someone in the upper, middle, and lower class, due to they fact that they are all considered wealthy since they have an abundance of resources to tap into.
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rashadlc1980 wrote: »So the diseases of affluence is the same affect as someone in the upper, middle, and lower class, due to they fact that they are all considered wealthy since they have an abundance of resources to tap into.
But it's not. We know in the US that the stats vary and track income level and education, among other things.3 -
rashadlc1980 wrote: »So my issue I see among the religious groups is the higher expectation of living a prosperous lifestyle that sets itself apart from everyone else.
I think you are over generalizing. I do not see a connection between a higher expectation of living a prosperous lifestyle and religion in my own background/religious affiliation. I would say that the prosperity gospel, if that is what you are talking about, is a very specific kind of religion.Growing up in church myself, I would see hundreds go to the alter call for prayer and most of the time it was for health related issues, only to see them go back and order a bucket of fried chicken from KFC.
I believe you, but in my own religious tradition there aren't any altar calls, and I've never seen KFC as a church-associated meal. We do have occasionally food-related events, but the food chosen is not any different than what I'd see at other food-related events in the same area/city/general social groups. So again it might be the region and cultural background dictating what religious people in those areas do after church vs. the religion itself.4 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »rashadlc1980 wrote: »So my issue I see among the religious groups is the higher expectation of living a prosperous lifestyle that sets itself apart from everyone else.
I think you are over generalizing. I do not see a connection between a higher expectation of living a prosperous lifestyle and religion in my own background/religious affiliation. I would say that the prosperity gospel, if that is what you are talking about, is a very specific kind of religion.Growing up in church myself, I would see hundreds go to the alter call for prayer and most of the time it was for health related issues, only to see them go back and order a bucket of fried chicken from KFC.
I believe you, but in my own religious tradition there aren't any altar calls, and I've never seen KFC as a church-associated meal. We do have occasionally food-related events, but the food chosen is not any different than what I'd see at other food-related events in the same area/city/general social groups. So again it might be the region and cultural background dictating what religious people in those areas do after church vs. the religion itself.
Okay makes sense. I guess I'm speaking from a subjective perspective. Glad to know that it's a possibility that there's not a correlation between the two. Maybe ethical? not sure. Prosperity gospel was taken out of context and it doesn't mean money in general terms of the context.
Thanks
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