Examining the nutrition-related health promotion strategies of the hebrew israelite restaurants: Globalizing improved dietary quality and food access in local contexts

African Americans are disproportionately at risk for a variety of nutrition-related chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The evidence demonstrates that improved diet, increased physical activity, decreased alcohol and tobacco intake can decrease one's risk for developing these chronic diseases. The African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem have developed chronic disease prevention strategies based on their faith beliefs. This regimented system of a plant-based vegan diet, increased water, fruit, and vegetable and decreased salt and sugar intake, as well as mandated physical activity as a health promotion strategy is extended to non-adherents of the faith through their vegan soul food restaurants. The restaurants provide healthy alternatives to traditional soul food menus and extending their health education and promotion audience beyond their faith community. This project explored the implementation of this health promotion strategy in African American communities. The study revealed that many African Americans were referred to the restaurants by health professionals to improve their diet and health status; the restaurant is a site where customers are educated about the health promotion strategies arising from Hebrew faith tradition and a space where they can share health information and improvements in their health status; and the restaurant is a source of fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as healthy prepared foods in an obesogenic food environment. Recommendations: as researchers continue to search for strategies to eliminate nutrition-related chronic disease disparities faith-based restaurants can be an excellent further research and program implementation for health education and health promotion activities for African American communities.