Body & Soul A Celebration of Healthy Eating & Living

What is Body & Soul?

• A health program originally designed for African-American churches.

• A program that empowers church members to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables every day for better health.

• A program that works by combining: – Church Staff leadership– Educational activities– A church environment that supports

healthy eating– Peer counseling

The Blessings Of Body & Soul

Body & Soul churches embrace and celebrate good health through healthy eating.

Body & Soul congregations:– Eat more fruits and

vegetables.– Learn how health and

spirituality are connected.– Embrace other healthy

habits.

Why Body & Soul?

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

1 Corinthians 6:19

However…

Why Body & Soul?

• We eat more fat – especially hydrogenated fat (trans fat), saturated fat and butterfat – more refined sugars and starches, more artificial sweeteners, more salt and more packaged and processed foods than anyone else.

• We consume less vitamin-rich produce, less dietary fiber and less omega-3, a fatty acid vital to life, than anyone else.

http://www.oakwood.org/upload/docs/Stewardship_01_Diet_Exercise.pdf

Why Body & Soul?

We have the world’s highest incidence of hypertension, heart and blood vessel disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and seventeen kinds of cancer.

In fact…

Why Body & Soul?

Top 6 Causes of Death among Americans:

• Heart disease

• Cancer

• Stroke

• Chronic lower respiratory diseases

• Accidents (unintentional injuries)

• Diabeteshttp://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

Why Body & Soul?

60% of us are overweight or

obese.http://www.oakwood.org/upload/docs/Stewardship_01_Diet_Exercise.pdf

Underlying Causes of CancerEstimated percentage of total cancer deaths attributable to established causes of cancer:

Tobacco

Adult diet/obesitySedentary lifestyle

Occupational factorsFamily history of cancer

Viruses/other biologic agentsPerinatal factors/growth

Reproductive factors

AlcoholSocioeconomic status

Environmental pollutionIonizing/ultraviolet radiation

Prescription drugsMedical procedures

Salt/other food additives or

contaminants0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Percent of People MeetingPhysical Activity Guidelines*

0

5

10

15

20

25

Men Women

All Adults

Whites

Blacks

Hispanics

*At least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week.

Average Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Per Day by Race

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1 or less 1 or 2 3 to 4 5+

White

Black

Hispanic

*Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables recommended per day.

QUESTION: What Can We Do?

NOTHING, or….

We can make choices to:

positively impact our own health, and

positively impact the health of others.

About 22% of About 22% of Americans smoke.Americans smoke.

However, 100% of However, 100% of Americans eat!Americans eat!

QUESTION: Why Focus on Dietary Behaviors?

The Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

The different colors of fruits and vegetables-green, red, yellow/orange, blue/purple, and white - contain a range of nutrients that work with vitamins and minerals to help protect our health.

The Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

Vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and hundreds of phytonutrients—natural substances found in plants—may play a role in helping to reduce the risk for disease.

History of Body & Soul

• Body & Soul is based on National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded research conducted in North Carolina (Black Churches United for Better Health) and at Emory University (Eat for Life Trial).

• The American Cancer Society and NCI worked with the researchers from UNC and Emory to translate this research into a program that could be delivered on a wide scale.

Body & Soul Evaluation

• Body & Soul was evaluated in 15 churches from across the country

• Churches ran the programs themselves with technical assistance from American Cancer Society field staff and volunteers.

Body & Soul Evaluation

• Intervention churches showed:– a significant increase in fruit and vegetable

consumption – a significant decrease in fat consumption– significant increases in internal motivation and

self-efficacy

• Research demonstrated that churches could implement the program on their own and yet achieve a significant change in behavior.

Measures of Success

• Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables among participants.

• Changes in church policies and practices related to foods served (link to SHIP).

• Increased awareness, knowledge, and self-efficacy of healthy eating among participants.

• Collaborative relationships.

Why Body & Soul Works

• Church “buy in” leads to a supportive environment

• Multiple components reinforce messages

• Motivational interviewing

• Attractive materials

• Fun activities

• It is about good food and good health!

The Four Pillars Of Body & Soul

1. A committed and involved church leader.

2. Church activities that promote healthy eating.

3. A church environment that promotes healthy eating.

4. Peer counseling that motivates church members to eat a healthy diet.

All four pillars must be in place to build an effective Body & Soul program.

Pillar 1: A Committed and Involved Church Leader

For example, the pastor. The pastor is

the spiritual and organizational leader

of the church.

Or perhaps a parish nurse?

Pillar 1: A Committed and Involved Church Leader

Church Leaders also can: Serve as role models of

healthy behaviors. Teach and preach about

healthy eating and living. Request changes in the

food that is served at church events.

Encourage the congregation and the planning team in their Body & Soul efforts.

Pillar 2: Church Activities That Promote Healthy Eating

Activities that encourage church

members to eat more fruits and vegetables

are the heart of

Body & Soul.

Pillar 2: Church Activities That Promote Healthy Eating

Body & Soul

Activities Can Include: • Workshops• Cooking

demonstrations• Taste tests• “Farmer’s Market”• Others???

Pillar 3: A Church Environment That Promotes Healthy Eating

With Body & Soul,

the church:• Sets a good example.• Models healthy eating

practices.• Serves fruits and

vegetables at every food event.

Pillar 3: A Church Environment That Promotes Healthy Eating

Serving healthier foods at church demonstrates:

• The church “practices what it preaches.”

• The church’s commitment to congregational health.

• That healthy eating is a part of church life.

Pillar 4: Peer Counseling That Motivates Members To Eat A Healthy Diet

With Peer Counseling :

• Members talk with other members about healthy eating

• The counselors act as coaches

Pillar 4: Peer Counseling That Motivates Members To Eat A Healthy Diet

Peer Counselor Training DVD

Contains:

– A Coordinator Handbook

– A Peer Counselor Workbook

– An Instructional Video

Customizing Body & Soul

• Implemented by churches – not outside organizations.– Ensures the program is tailored to the needs of

the congregation.

• Church is responsible for content of program.– Church Coordinator– Church Planning Team

MOTIVATIONAL REMINDER:

Whether, then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

WRAP- UP…

• Questions?• Do you think that the “Body and Soul”

program is something Bethel Church could promote? If so, who should pursue it?

• Are “Body and Soul” concepts something Bethel can incorporate? Or that this group can incorporate? If so, how?

• What steps can this group take now to glorify God in what you eat and drink?

FINAL QUESTION…

What steps can you take now to glorify God in what you eat and drink?