Top

Published in:

01-09-2012 | Original Paper

Perceptions of Social and Environmental Support for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Rural Southern Churches

Authors: Michelle C. Kegler, Cam Escoffery, Iris C. Alcantara, Johanna Hinman, Ann Addison, Karen Glanz

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

The influence of church environments on healthy eating and physical activity was explored through in-depth interviews with rural adults aged 50-70 (n = 60). Data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach, with an emphasis on noting similarities and differences between African American and predominantly white churches. Findings suggest that church-based nutrition and exercise programs were rare, and existing recreational facilities were geared toward younger members. The majority of church leaders did not talk about nutrition or physical activity, but social support from church friends for healthy eating and physical activity was fairly common. Despite barriers to establishing healthy environments in church settings, churches are rich in social support that could be tapped to promote healthy behavior.

Atkinson, M. J., Boltri, J. M., Davis-Smith, M., Seale, J. P., Shellenberger, S., & Gonsalves, D. (2009). A qualitative inquiry into the community and programmatic dimensions associated with successful implementation of church-based diabetes prevention programs. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 15(3), 264–273.PubMed

Boehmer, T. K., Lovegreen, S. L., Haire-Joshu, D., & Brownson, R. C. (2006). What constitutes an obesogenic environment in rural communities? American Journal of Health Promotion, 20(6), 411–421.PubMedCrossRef

Boeije, H. (2002). A purposeful approach to the constant comparative method in the analysis of qualitative interviews. Quality & Quantity, 36, 391–409.CrossRef

Bopp, M., Lattimore, D., Wilcox, S., Laken, M., McClorin, L., Swinton, R., et al. (2007). Understanding physical activity participation in members of an African American church: a qualitative study. Health Education Research, 22(6), 815–826.PubMedCrossRef

Campbell, M. K., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Symons, M., Kalsbeek, W. D., Dodds, J., Cowan, A., et al. (1999). Fruit and vegetable consumption and prevention of cancer: the Black Churches United for Better Health project. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1390–1396.PubMedCrossRef

Campbell, M. K., Hudson, M. A., Resnicow, K., Blakeney, N., Paxton, A., & Baskin, M. (2007). Church-based health promotion interventions: evidence and lessons learned. Annual Review of Public Health, 28, 213–234.PubMedCrossRef

Chatters, L. M. (2000). Religion and health: public health research and practice. Annual Review of Public Health, 21, 335–367.PubMedCrossRef

Darmon, N., & Drewnowski, A. (2008). Does social class predict diet quality? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(5), 1107–1117.PubMed

DeHaven, M. J., Hunter, I. B., Wilder, L., Walton, J. W., & Berry, J. (2004). Health programs in faith-based organizations: are they effective? American Journal of Public Health, 94(6), 1030–1036.PubMedCrossRef

Drayton-Brooks, S., & White, N. (2004). Health promoting behaviors among African American women with faith-based support. The Association of Black Nursing Faculty Journal, 15(5), 84–90.

Drewnowski, A., & Specter, S. E. (2004). Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79(1), 6–16.PubMed

Glaser, B. (1965). The constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. Social Problems, 12(4), 436–445.CrossRef

Hermstad, A. (2007). Behavioral and psychosocial correlates of the nutrition environment in rural southwest Georgia. Unpublished master’s thesis. Atlanta, GA: Emory University.

Jackson, J. E., Doescher, M. P., Jerant, A. F., & Hart, L. G. (2005). A national study of obesity prevalence and trends by type of rural county. Journal of Rural Health, 21(2), 140–148.PubMedCrossRef

Kegler, M. C., Escoffery, C., Alcantara, I., Ballard, D., & Glanz, K. (2008). A qualitative examination of home and neighborhood environments for obesity prevention in rural adults. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5, 65.PubMedCrossRef

Larson, N. I., Story, M. T., & Nelson, M. C. (2009). Neighborhood environments: disparities in access to healthy foods in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(1), 74–81.PubMedCrossRef

Liese, A. D., Weis, K. E., Pluto, D., Smith, E., & Lawson, A. (2007). Food store types, availability, and cost of foods in a rural environment. Journal of American Dietetic Association, 107(11), 1916–1923.CrossRef

Matthews, A. K., Berrios, N., Darnell, J. S., & Calhoun, E. (2006). A qualitative evaluation of a faith-based breast and cervical cancer screening intervention for African American women. Health Education & Behavior, 33(5), 643–663.CrossRef

McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351–377.PubMedCrossRef

Miles, M., & Huberman, A. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (2005). The 2005 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Services Issues Retrieved Aug, 2008, from ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/NAC2005.pdf.

Patterson, P. D., Moore, C. G., Probst, J. C., & Shinogle, J. A. (2004). Obesity and physical inactivity in rural America. Journal of Rural Health, 20(2), 151–159.PubMedCrossRef

Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Peterson, J., Atwood, J. R., & Yates, B. (2002). Key elements for church-based health promotion programs: outcome-based literature review. Public Health Nursing, 19(6), 401–411.PubMedCrossRef

Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. (2008). US religious landscape survey - religious affiliation: diverse and dynamic. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.

Resnicow, K., Jackson, A., Blissett, D., Wang, T., McCarty, F., Rahotep, S., et al. (2005). Results of the healthy body healthy spirit trial. Health Psychology, 24(4), 339–348.PubMedCrossRef

Richards, L. (2002). Using N6 in Qualitative Research. Melbourne, Australia: QSR International Pty Ltd.

Roozen, D. A. (2007). American Congregations 2005. Retrieved December 2008, from http://fact.hartsem.edu/products/index.html.

Sallis, J. F., Cervero, R. B., Ascher, W., Henderson, K. A., Kraft, M. K., & Kerr, J. (2006). An ecological approach to creating active living communities. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 297–322.PubMedCrossRef

Sanderson, B., Foushee, H. R., Bittner, V., Cornell, C. E., Stalker, V., Shelton, S., et al. (2003). Personal, social, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity in rural African-American women in Alabama. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 25(3 Suppl 1), 30–37.PubMedCrossRef

Sanderson, B., Littleton, M., & Pulley, L. (2002). Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity among rural, African American women. Women and Health, 36(2), 75–90.

Sharkey, J. R., & Horel, S. (2008). Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation and minority composition are associated with better potential spatial access to the ground-truthed food environment in a large rural area. Journal of Nutrition, 138(3), 620–627.PubMed

Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O’Brien, R., & Glanz, K. (2008). Creating healthy food and eating environments: Policy and environmental approaches. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 253–272.PubMedCrossRef

U.S. Census Bureau (2000). Census 2000 Demographics Profile Highlights [database] Retrieved February 2008, from http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en.

Wilcox, S., Castro, C., King, A. C., Housemann, R., & Brownson, R. C. (2000). Determinants of leisure time physical activity in rural compared with urban older and ethnically diverse women in the United States. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 54(9), 667–672.PubMedCrossRef

Williams, R. M., Glanz, K., Kegler, M. C., & Davis, E., Jr. (2009). A study of rural church health promotion environments: Leaders’ and members’ perspectives. Journal of Religion and Health.

Title: Perceptions of Social and Environmental Support for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Rural Southern Churches
Authors: Michelle C. Kegler
Cam Escoffery
Iris C. Alcantara
Johanna Hinman
Ann Addison
Karen Glanz
Publication date: 01-09-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9394-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Perceptions of Social and Environmental Support for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Rural Southern Churches

Abstract

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 3/2012

Physical Health Functioning Among United Methodist Clergy

Long-term Care Residents' Views About the Contributions of Christian-based Volunteers in Taiwan: A Pilot Study

Religiosity, Self-Efficacy for Exercise, and African American Women

The Moderating Role of Ethnicity in the Relation Between Religiousness and Mental Health Among Ethnically Diverse College Students

Religiosity, Spirituality, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviors Among College Students

Self-Concept Clarity and Religious Orientations: Prediction of Purpose in Life and Self-Esteem