Journal Article

Religious Beliefs, Diet, and Physical Activity Among Jewish Adolescents

Benjamins, Maureen R.

2012

Overview

Despite a well-documented connection between religion and mortality, the link between religion and obesityrelated outcomes and behaviors has not been adequately studied, particularly among adolescents. This study examines whether self-reported religious beliefs influence decisions about physical activity and diet in a sample of Jewish adolescents (n = 351). The results show that reporting a stronger influence of religious beliefs on health behaviors is associated with behaviors related to physical activity, but not diet. In adjusted regression models, individuals who report that their religious beliefs influence decisions about being physically active \"a lot\" have significantly more active days per week than those who say their religious beliefs do not influence such decisions. Similar effects are seen with regard to the students' overall amount of sedentary time. The results shed light on previously documented relationships between religion and health, provide practical implications for religious organizations and leaders, and suggest areas for future research.

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Inc,Wiley Subscription Services,Wiley,Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subject: Adolescents / Behavior / Belief & doubt / Beliefs / Christianity / Contemporary period / Decisions / Diet / Exercise / Food habits / General subjects / Health Behavior / health behaviors / Health beliefs / Health outcomes / History and sciences of religions / Human behaviour / Israel / Jewish people / Jews / Judaism / Leadership / Methodology (Data Collection) / Modern and contemporary Judaism / Mortality / Obesity / Physical activity / Physical Fitness / Psychology of religion / Regression analysis / Religion / Religions / Religious Beliefs / Religious mentalities / Religious organizations / Sedentary / Sociology, ethnography / Spiritual belief systems / Students / Teenagers / Womens health