Saturday, October 22, 2011

Utah churches tackle a weighty issue: Obesity


From Utah-

It’s time to cut the fat out of funeral potatoes and shrink the slices of cake — all in the name of God.

Church pews are Utah’s newest battleground to push back against potbellies, starting with the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.

With 5,000 members in 25 congregations, it is the first religious organization to formally agree to work with the state and others to prevent obesity among its members.

To Episcopal Bishop Scott Hayashi, emphasizing health is a natural fit for a diocese that established Utah’s first hospital (St. Mark’s) and for a faith that considers the human body a "temple of the Holy Spirit."

"From the beginning of the diocese of Utah, we have been a people who have worked together with God and with each other to save lives," he said recently, noting that the church also supports food pantries, domestic-violence shelters and 12-step programs. "Obesity is one of the ways in which human lives are put in jeopardy."

Hayashi said he will ask members to be healthy — to make healthy food for potlucks, choose smaller plates at coffee hours, offer apple slices and other fruit instead of cookies, grow gardens. And to be active.

More here-

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/52706027-80/health-church-utah-god.html.cspv

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