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Why American Christians Tend to be Fat and Unhealthy

I’m not going to sugar coat this for you, since getting back to the USA 2 months ago Christina and I haven’t just gained supporters, we’ve also gained weight!

(Note: In June I wrote a post called Are You a Fat Christian which was an analogy to the spiritual life. This post however is not an analogy!)

We’ve found that it’s difficult to live in the land of plenty without putting on a few pounds. We’ve also found that American Christians tend to have a wider waistline than most of their brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world.
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The irony is that American Christians also seem to talk a lot more about nutrition, be likely to purchase “diet” foods and to have exercise equipment at home.

So where does it come from?

Why do so believers have bulging belt-lines?
Have we traded making disciples for making dinner?
Are we consuming Snickers instead of Scriptures?
Have we chosen to lay on the couch watching TV and eating cheeses instead of picking up our cross and following Jesus?

Here are my observations.

Problem: We move too little

Americans are overly dependent on cars! We drive to the store and then search for the closest parking spot to eliminate the need to walk and extra 10-20 yards!

In Ukraine we walk.

Christina often walks to the market to buy things like fruit, vegetables, meat, shoes, batteries, etc. If we need to go to the bank we walk. Need to visit a friend? We walk there too! We walk to church, I walk to work.

Christina has a pedometer like this one and it’s not difficult at all for her to get in 20,000+ steps a day just doing the regular stuff of life.

Solution: If you can walk there leave your car at home. Find ways to be active in your regular routine of life. Remember that for a Christian taking care of your physical health is a spiritual responsibility. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Problem: Food everywhere all the time!

You can’t go far in America without finding someone who’s trying to sell you something to stuff in your mouth. People no longer eat at definite times around a table. Instead they eat at a desk, in front of their TV or in their car. The number of drive thru’s is astounding! I’m not sure how people can juggle their burger and fries while driving and talking on the phone at the same time!

Solution: Eat at designated times and places. Track your food like I do with this app. Remember that God calls us to run a race and we must be disciplined in all things! 1 Corinthians 9:27

Problem: Feel goodism

Yes, I made up that phrase but I think you know what I’m talking about. America is characterized by a philosophy that says, “If it feels good do it!” This has infiltrated the church and affects many of our choices including what we eat and how much we eat.

I don’t want to claim that we shouldn’t enjoy our food, we should! God designed it to be enjoyable for us. But like sex, entertainment or anything else that produces pleasure we must exhibit discipline and wisdom.

Solution: Food is good but it is not God! Check out my friend Barb Raveling’s new devotional “Taste for Truth” Remember that the Christian should find ultimate joy in Christ and not in his belly. Philippians 3:19

Problem: Prepackaged, prepared, ready to eat

I’m not sure if you are aware of this but most of the world actually prepares meals from basics like flour, rice, potatoes and various vegetables. Maybe it’s because Americans are too busy, maybe it’s because Americans are too lazy but there seems to less and less homemade food in US households these days.

When don’t have to spend hours chopping, mixing, kneading, cooking, and cleaning you’re a lot more likely to spend that time eating.

Solution: Don’t give in to the temptation to always buy prepared food. Eat simply, eat healthy and if you’re tempted to over eat then just slit your throat! Proverbs 23:1-3

Question: What other factors tend to make American Christians fat and unhealthy?

54 Responses
  • Mike Kim
    December 17, 2013

    1. This is an awesome headline, hahaha!
    2. I totally agree, almost 100% of my missionary friends say the same thing.
    3. I don’t know it can be narrowed just to Christians…it’s probably the US overall.
    4. I am still laughing at this headline.
    5. The final line of slitting your throat was priceless =)

    In all seriousness, I do agree and when you think of it, what other countries outside the US have Christian books dedicated to weight loss / diet? (Rick Warren’s new book, for example). It’s definitely indicative of our society.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Mike it certainly is a problem with American culture at large that seems to have infiltrated the church. I hadn’t thought about that before but it does seem that we produce a lot of Christian books on weightloss and health yet we have little to show for it.

  • Bill (cycleguy)
    December 17, 2013

    You have pictured our society well Caleb. Sad, but true. We have become a lazy, and therefore fat, society. We work so stinking hard, often at jobs we can’t stand, that the one release is coming home and sitting, laying, slouching (take your pick) in front of the TV or computer screen, either watching show after show or playing game after game. We seem to like our Christianity the same way: easy on the palate.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Great way to put it Bill, “easy on the palate”. It’s true for me too, eating can be a way to relax but that’s usually when it becomes dangerous for me.

  • Chris Peek
    December 17, 2013

    Caleb, you’re beating around the bush. How do you really feel? 🙂

    You have a unique perspective. Way to tackle a subject that is pretty much taboo in the church. I often joke about growing up Baptist, where the 300-pound preacher will condemn his congregation for taking a sip of alcohol.

    There are many factors to our culture being overweight, but the problem stems from the fact that we live in an entitlement society. Americans expect to be served in the time and manner they desire, and not just served, but served with excellence. The mindset is, “Let other people serve me. I deserve it.” I’ve even seen this mindset in pastors and church leaders. In addition, few are willing to work hard. And for those who do serve inside the church, we serve others with what else…food.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      “I deserve it” is something that I see all the time in comercials on TV here in the States. It’s so easy for us to believe that we have worked harder, suffered more and deserve to be served. But as soon as step into that thinking we loose the attitude that Jesus wants us to have. He came to serve!

  • Kari Scare
    December 17, 2013

    A sensitive subject handled well, Caleb. It’s interesting that some people can get away with discussing this while others cannot. For some reason, this would come as offensive if I were to say it. But maybe it’s having a stranger say it? Maybe it’s a receptive audience? Probably, it’s your unique perspective. Anyway, it’s a topic dear to my heart (and I suspect that is true for many) because of ones I love who are unhealthy. I want them around as long as possible, but they are shortening their own lives. I pray often for a the ones I love to grab a hold of healthier lifestyles, even if just a little bit. I know that little things will add up.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Kari, I’m preaching to myself in this post. After all I am an American and I also struggle with staying disciplined in my eating and health habits. In the end this is something that we can’t really do for someone else. The best thing is to model it and encourage healthy behaviors!

  • floyd
    December 17, 2013

    We have too many conveniences, but in fairness, I have to say it’s infinitely cheaper to eat the stuff that puts on weight. To eat the things that are the best for us takes not only time, but a significant amount of money. I also wonder how many people don’t walk because they’re afraid to. But I do agree we probably spend too much time in front of electronics as well.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Eating healthy does require an investment of our time and money but I think it’s probably all worth it in the long run. Floyd I agree with you about the electronics. Sometimes I wish I could go back to my life as a painter when I would really physically be exhausted at the end of each day. It was a good feeling.

  • TCAvey
    December 17, 2013

    I think you hit all the major points! I discovered recently that my LDL cholesterol isn’t slightly elevated. I attribute it to a more busy life this past year and not eating as healthy. Pizza and chicken strips have become a weekly staple because it’s so easy. Now that I know my LDL level, I more motivation to make the time to prepare better meals and let those “staples” become occasional treats the way they used to be.

    • Caleb
      December 19, 2013

      Yes, most of the time it is much easier to do the unhealthy thing. However I think if you can make it a habit then the healthy thing becomes so routine that it will be easier for you.

      • TCAvey
        December 19, 2013

        I agree. I love it when I get in a groove and doing good things is easy/natural (going to gym, eating healthy).

  • DS
    December 17, 2013

    I’m not willing to suggest that our obesity is because of laziness. In my area we are busy, which makes us feel like we should cut corners elsewhere (typically nutritious food). Further, we have anything and everything (just about) at our fingertips in excess. We can eat anything, at any time, in the blink of an eye. I would guess that in many cases we’ve forgotten what a real hunger feels like (not a passing hunger, or a habit of eating).

    For the majority (myself included) it boils down to two things: An inability to say no to food, and a lack of physical activity.

    Well said “we must exhibit discipline and wisdom” – but I would action to the mix.

    Thanks for the needed admonishment!

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Yes, most people don’t know what real hunger is. Craving something isn’t the same as really being hungry. I think maybe that’s why fasting can be a good tool for spiritual growth at times.

      • Heather Wilson
        December 18, 2013

        Do you have any posts on fasting or recommended books? I’ve been wanting to explore fasting abd give it a try for a long time. It just scares me because I don’t understand it.

        • Caleb
          December 18, 2013

          Heather I do have a post on fasting here https://sukofamily.org/whats-the-deal-with-fasting/ I haven’t run across any books recently that deal with fasting although you might want to check out the section on fasting in Donald Whitney’s book on the spiritual disciplines http://goo.gl/uwtrDu

        • Larry Poole
          January 23, 2014

          Heather, I great book is “Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin. It’s a quick read and will answer all your questions.

          I’d highly encourage you to give it a shot. It’s one of the most important spiritual disciplines that we so often neglect.

  • Ridgely
    December 17, 2013

    It’s all those church potlucks….or rather pot-providence as we call them!

    • Barb Raveling
      December 18, 2013

      Your comment really made me laugh, Ridgely. 🙂

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Ridgely we enjoyed your church potluck this month! I actually didn’t eat that much because I was busy talking. There is something biblical about fellowshipping around the table.

      • Ridgely
        December 18, 2013

        And we enjoyed having you at our church, Caleb. You and Christine are dear to us. I must confess that I personally struggle with self-discipline…always have, still do. It’s that besetting sin that needs the grace which is sufficient…when I tap into it! 🙂

        • Caleb
          December 18, 2013

          Ridgely, welcome to the club! I think if we are honest with ourselves we have to admit that we all have an area of life were we struggle with self discipline. I have to keep reminding myself to get my eyes back on Jesus and pursue him with everything I have. The more I do that the less it seems that I’m tempted in other areas of life.

          • Ridgely
            December 19, 2013

            Amen!!

  • Barb Raveling
    December 18, 2013

    This was so interesting to read, Caleb. I loved the perspective of hearing what goes on in other cultures. Plus it was really fun to read the comments. And thanks for linking to my blog – I appreciate it!

    • Barb Raveling
      December 18, 2013

      Forgot to tell you – I just got Taste for Truth out in a Kindle format today. Hope to get I Deserve a Donut out in the next few weeks.

      • Caleb
        December 18, 2013

        That’s awesome I almost exclusively read on kindle. Here’s a link to the kindle edition just in case someone is interested http://goo.gl/otzXZi

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      You bet Barb! I hope you’re book is doing well.

  • Christopher Nichols
    December 18, 2013

    Please realize that when it comes to human physiology related to weight gain, there may be a number of other factors that contribute to a persons size other than lifestyle choices. There are many suffering from debilitating diseases (as well as certain types of treatments) that can cause a person to gain weight in spite of caloric intake, particularly related to the thyroid. Furthermore, in women, endometriosis can cuase significant weight gain as the diseased tissue spreads internally throughout the sufferer’s abdomen without abatement.

    I’m skinny. Never weighed over 148lbs and never gave my stature a single thought. Never used the gym, watched what I ate, or counted my daily steps. In my case, I may appear what some would judge to be living more responsibly than let’s say someone that has struggled daily with their weight and for whatever reason can’t seem to keep it off. The fact is my physiology has made this easy for me, so am I more noble?

    Actually, at present my weight does happen to be down a bit by 3-5 pounds, but for me it’s easy…
    I was recently diagnosed with a condition that makes it difficult to tolerate and digest food. My point–things are rarely what they appear. Christians should not be placing a yoke on one another that Christ Himself did not call us to bear. The biblical admonition is simply to seek to glorify God in our bodies as we take up our crosses and follow Jesus. What that looks like for each individual will not come in a “one size fits all” package.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      Amen Christopher. Thanks for sharing. You’re right there’s no one size fits all solution to these things. Ultimately it’s a heart issue and we should never choose food over God or unhealthy living over making wise well disciplined choices in our life that honor God.

      Being thin doesn’t necessarily make you more noble or even healthier than some one that is a little overweight. The emphasis in Scripture is about being disciplined, taking care of our bodies and not allowing ourselves to be ruled by food or any other substance.

      • Christopher Nichols
        December 18, 2013

        On the other hand, in some even Christian circles, diet and physical fitness are certainly idolized with equally negative consequences! As followers of Jesus we should never judge based on someone’s appearance, which public calls for the church to start addressing this issue will inadvertently encourage. The clear call of a disciple is not to discipline in and of itself. Apart from the Holy Spirit, that’s called legalism. We are called to love and good works out of the overflow of our devotion to cultivating and maintaining our relationship with Jesus… that is to say, the fruit of the Spirit (not of our efforts) is love, joy… and self control.

        In my opinion, those struggling to maintain a healthy weight most likely feel bad enough without further social pressure from their churches or even other Christians in general.

        • Caleb
          December 19, 2013

          Yes and yes! We have to be careful not to trade the idol of food for the idol of fitness. The only way to do that is by choosing to focus on Christ instead.

          You’re right about discipline too. We don’t discipline our bodies just for disciplines sake but rather for the goal of knowing Christ and making him known.

          I like how Paul puts it. I Cor 927 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

      • Christopher Nichols
        December 19, 2013

        I guess another good question is, do we really need to give people another reason to avoid church? I mean, people have already been reluctant to come for fear of not having the right clothes, etc.–and now messages like this one are going to give us permission to evaluate one’s spirituality based on their physical fitness? Respectfully, when you say that it’s mostly an issue of being honest with ourselves regarding our self-discipline (by implication, lack thereof) you are catagorizing people based on their appearance. The scriptures are explicit in their admonishment against such thought and practice… and honestly, I find it reprehensibly objectifying.

        • Caleb
          December 19, 2013

          Christopher, I agree that we don’t want to give people more reasons to avoid regularly fellowshipping with the Body of Christ. On the other hand sin is sin and we can’t sacrifice our the truth of God’s Word because we are afraid that it might offend some. The most loving and Christian thing we can do is to graciously tell the truth. Unfortunately sometimes that truth will hurt.

          The truth is that too many Americans have damaged their bodies, and given into to gluttonous desires. The sad is result in the church is that many are suffering serious, life threatening health problems and can not continue in ministry because of unwise, unhealthy and ungodly choices they have made in regards to food and exercise.

          I’m not talking about an ideal weight or a Hollywood figure. I’m talking about making God honoring healthy choices in diet and exercise that will promote health, well being and represent Christ well.

          This is a significant issue that is unfortunately rarely touched on in many churches.

          I hope you understand that I’m not pointing my figure in condemnation of everyone who is a few pounds over the ideal. I have put myself on the chopping block first. In the post I have used my own struggle in this area as an example.

          In fact the graphic I used for this post is a self portrait, I’m not joking, that’s my belly that’s sticking out there for everyone to see!

          • Christopher Nichols
            December 19, 2013

            I’ll agree when you can show me where in the bible Jesus started calling people out on their specific sins… there is no power to transform in a message like that.

          • Christopher Nichols
            December 19, 2013

            …wait, Jesus did call out religious hypocracy as well as, profiteering in the temple.

          • Caleb
            December 19, 2013

            You’re absolutely right, Jesus along with all the prophets and the other writers of the New Testament often pointed out specific sinned and either rebuked or warned people concerning those sins. Great observation!

          • Christopher Nichols
            December 19, 2013

            Actually, I was hoping you could site scripture references that show examples of Jesus making behavior modification a focus of His ministry. My point is that He simply did not engage promoting the type of rhetoric that your blog promotes. He always dealt with the heart as the preeminent battleground for the soul. From the heart springs forth all the issues of life! Jesus said to keep His commandments as an act of voluntary love, and the scriptures make clear that it takes God (the Holy Spirit operating in our lives) to love God. We love Him because He first loved us! Apart from Christ we can do nothing!
            If we see Jesus rightly, He will take His place on the throne of our affections and as we draw near to Him we will hear the voice of our Jealous Bridegroom declaring back to us His great love for us. These two great revelations–growing in the knowledge of who God is what He thinks about us as He declares the truth of who we are–hold the Christian’s hope for transformation unto holiness! This process comes through long and loving meditation on Christ through the scriptures and becoming familiar with and agreeing with what the Word says about us.
            Obviously this is not an exhaustive statement on the process of sanctification, but for me rather than focus on my sin in an attempt to try to change my bad behavior, I’m going to focus on Jesus, our Great High Priest–the Author and Perfector of our faith–asking that through the power of the Holy Spirit that I might be transformed according to the pattern Paul laid out so beautifully in 1Cor. 3:17-18.

          • Caleb
            December 19, 2013

            Christopher I’m responding to you via email since this is getting a little off topic now. Blessings!

  • Loren Pinilis
    December 18, 2013

    I think another part is because of a culture that is accepting. Don’t get me wrong – no one loves being overweight, and most people are quite ashamed of their weight. But I think when so many are overweight, it becomes not as big of a deal. Additionally, we tend to have a very victim-oriented culture that tells people that it’s a problem with genetics, metabolism, etc.

    • Caleb
      December 18, 2013

      There are other factors that contribute to this problem but ultimately the issue is one of discipline and being honest with oursevles. I think the more we read God’s Word the easier it becomes for us individually to look at our own lives and diagnose the problem.

  • Caleb
    December 18, 2013

    Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone take it that far. I guess that’s like saying, “It doesn’t matter how I live my life because I’m going to heaven with I die.” Paul comes down hard on people that say that in Romans 6:1-4

    • Heather Wilson
      December 18, 2013

      When I was actively a nutritionist, I heard that excuse a lot, and people would refuse my advice.

  • Caleb
    December 19, 2013

    Sorry about that Thomas, didn’t mean to make you feel bad! However, sometimes we do have to feel bad before we can correct something which will ultimately turn out for our good.

    I do like the fitbit site for tracking my food. My wife also has been sporting the fitbit device for about 3 years now.

  • Larry Poole
    January 23, 2014

    BOOM! I felt like this post punched me right in the face. Every bit of it is so true. Getting healthier is at the top of my list for 2014. Going to bookmark this one so I can read it again when I’m feeling a bit unmotivated.

    • Caleb
      January 23, 2014

      Sorry for the punch in the face Larry! I hope it was a useful punch. I really wrote this post for myself so I’m right there with you!

      • Larry Poole
        January 23, 2014

        Very useful (and much needed) punch!

  • Yazmin
    January 30, 2014

    I might get stoned for this, but I think part of it is simple gluttony. As a sin of excess, it seems gluttony is the lesser child of say an alcohol or drug addiction. Since it’s less frowned upon, more people are apt to overindulge… and totally disregard what the bible says about it. We solve our problems with food, instead of God.

    I know I’m guilt of that and it’s a battle I fight every day to not be a glutton.

    • Caleb
      January 31, 2014

      Yazim, you’re right, gluttony is big in America. It’s hard to identify sometimes because it’s so much part of our culture. Ultimately it is a question of the heart.

  • Jennifer O'Toole
    July 17, 2014

    food is their SOURCE rather than manna from the bible and true relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit. How many Christians have fasted?

    • Caleb
      July 18, 2014

      Good point Jennifer! Jesus taught us about that when he said, “Man does not live by bread alone.”

  • Muggles Cake Sniffer
    October 19, 2014

    I think that fundamentalist Christians are not allowed to do many things but gluttony is is the acceptable sin so they go nuts. If Christians treated the sin of gluttony the same way they treated the sin of homosexuality you would see more fit waistlines.

    • Caleb
      October 19, 2014

      Very true.

  • Natalia Gold
    February 8, 2016

    The acceptable vices for Christians are food and caffeine.