title: Destroying God's Temple? Physical Inactivity, Poor Diet, Obesity, and Other "Sin" Behaviors.
abstract: On average, our participants (N = 112), who self-proclaimed to be Christians, believed that physically inactive lifestyles, unhealthy eating, overeating, and being obese destroy the body, God's temple. However, these beliefs were less definitive, than those of other common "sin" behaviors, such as drug use, smoking, and excessive drinking of alcohol. In addition, destroying the body with physical inactivity or poor diet was not necessarily viewed as sinful. Subsequently, these beliefs did not relate to self-reported physical activity, dietary behavior, or body mass index. It is possible that inactivity, poor dietary habits, and obesity are not internalized into the spiritual perspective as destroying the body, God's temple, in the same way as other "sin" behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Health, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, College Station, TX, USA. Mark.Faries@ag.tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Faries
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McClendon
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002835:Christianity; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D012067:Religion; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D029181:Spirituality
keywords: God’s temple; Health; Physical inactivity; Poor diet; Sin