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.

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?