Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117012

Carolyn A. Corder, MS, DJC, P. O. Box 178, Bryn Mawr, CA 92318, 9097934010, DJC7@msn.com, Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, Mark Ghamsary, MS, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, R. Patti Herring, PhD, RN, School of Public Health, Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Room 1509, Loma Linda, CA 92350, and Ella Haddad, DrPH, RD, Department of Nutrition, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA 92354.

In the context of increasing obesity among children and adolescents, we need to understand the risks and protective behaviors youth engage in to help guide them toward a healthier adulthood. This study examines the role of faith/religion and other background factors with body mass index (BMI), attitude toward body weight, dieting, protective eating, and exercise behaviors among youth. Body weight, attitude toward weight, dieting behavior, frequency of consuming protective foods, and physical activity were assessed in a cross-sectional, nationally stratified, random sample of 7211 middle and high school students. Principle Components Analysis, tests of association, variance, correlation, and risk were applied to determine relationships between the study variables and body mass index. Faith/religion was positively associated with exercising to manage body weight, reporting the recommended frequency of fruit, vegetable, and milk intake; daily exercise and attendance at physical education class; participation on sports teams; and less time spent watching television on school days. Odds ratios for protective behaviors moderated by faith/religion ranged from 1.16 to 1.60, and were supported by weak, but significant correlation coefficients (0.043 to 0.130). Having sustained a sports injury requiring medical care was identified as an incentive for turning to religious activities or emotional support from someone in the faith community. Stronger connections to faith/religion promote healthy eating and exercise behaviors among youth. Members of the faith community as well as parents, health educators, and school administrators, need to be aware of the role of emotional support and priorities in protecting youth from health risk.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the paper the participants will be able to

• Explain the association of reigious involvement on three healthy behaviors impacting BMI;
• Identify how a sense of religious motivation can be used to assist youth in also valuing a healthy body weight; and
• Discuss with a peer the limits of the association of religion and BMI.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.