title: Is faith-based health promotion effective? Results from two programs.
abstract: Obesity and related chronic diseases are on the rise in the United States. At the same time, 69% of Americans are religious, while 40% attend church regularly. This study evaluated the health benefits of two different biblically-based health promotion programs offered through rural and metropolitan churches with varying resources. Participants in both programs experienced weight loss and positive health changes, supporting that churches can be an effective way to promote health in America.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whisenant
authors.forename: Cyndi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cortes
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002835:Christianity; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D064698:Parish Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population