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Journal of Religion and Health

Erschienen in:

15.07.2017 | Original Paper

Considering Weight Loss Programs and Public Health Partnerships in American Evangelical Protestant Churches

verfasst von: D. Gibbes Miller

Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health | Ausgabe 3/2018

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Abstract

The obesity epidemic is a critical public health threat facing the USA. With the advent of American Evangelical Protestant (AEP) weight loss guides and narratives, AEP churches could potentially aid public health agencies in combatting obesity, and some scholars have called for investment in partnerships between public health agencies and religious institutions. This paper examines the theological and social underpinnings of AEP weight loss programs and considers the potential benefits and risks of public health partnerships with AEP churches to combat obesity. While AEP churches may be successful at empowering people to lose weight, AEP weight loss also carries several risks. These risks include reinforcing gendered bodily norms, stigmatizing both overweight bodies and unhealthy behaviors deemed to be sinful (for example, overeating), and failing to acknowledge social factors that promote obesity. These risks must be assessed and minimized to create appropriate public health weight loss partnerships with AEP communities.

I thank an anonymous reviewer for encouraging discussion of this point.

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Titel: Considering Weight Loss Programs and Public Health Partnerships in American Evangelical Protestant Churches
verfasst von: D. Gibbes Miller
Publikationsdatum: 15.07.2017
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health / Ausgabe 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0451-8

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Considering Weight Loss Programs and Public Health Partnerships in American Evangelical Protestant Churches

Abstract

Live-Webinar: Aktuelle Leitlinien bei Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen

Springer Medizin

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