addiction/obesity

[InDeoHonorium2]

Fr LeoBOoth, in his book Breaking the Chains: Overcoming Religious Addiction and Abuse
Makes commentary on something I have noticed. There are a lot of people involved with fundamentalist/abusive churches who have addictive personalities. Since most of these churches forbid drugs or alcohol, the remaining addiction that is allowed is eating.
I have always noticed that the some churches (usually Baptist but NOT exclusively) are full of fat women. You go in on Sunday and look around and there are many obese women in the congregation.
It seems that the more strict or even abusive the church is, then the greater the proportion of fat women.

Fr Booth talks about this in his book, talking about how being a well fed women means that the husband is taking care of her, and also that eating is the addiction that many follow, especially in light of a church experience that leaves them unhappy.

I have observed this with my own eyes so therefore, it is true. I never made the attempt to explain it, but I think Fr Booth is right on track here. It would make since following the theories of addiction medicine and the overall experience of an abusive/addictive religious experience. :amen:

[JustinWilliams]

Fr LeoBOoth, in his book Breaking the Chains: Overcoming Religious Addiction and Abuse
Makes commentary on something I have noticed. There are a lot of people involved with fundamentalist/abusive churches who have addictive personalities. Since most of these churches forbid drugs or alcohol, the remaining addiction that is allowed is eating.
I have always noticed that the some churches (usually Baptist but NOT exclusively) are full of fat women. You go in on Sunday and look around and there are many obese women in the congregation.
It seems that the more strict or even abusive the church is, then the greater the proportion of fat women.

Fr Booth talks about this in his book, talking about how being a well fed women means that the husband is taking care of her, and also that eating is the addiction that many follow, especially in light of a church experience that leaves them unhappy.

I have observed this with my own eyes so therefore, it is true. I never made the attempt to explain it, but I think Fr Booth is right on track here. It would make since following the theories of addiction medicine and the overall experience of an abusive/addictive religious experience. :amen:

I don't think this is limited to the Baptist denomination.

Rather I think the majority of Western culture, especially the United States, is obsessed with excess. We are a culture that does not accept the answer "No" to anything and so we indulge to the destruction of both our spiritual life and in this case our health.

[GordonSlocum]

That is interesting. In reading this book does the author make any reference to national statistics?

I would tend to believe that an observation of this kind should be measured against the general population.

We have all heard that the general population is over weight. This, as I understand it, has more to do with our none-stop, fast pace, grab it and run life style. We don't have time to fix everything at home and we fast food it, and restaurant it often.

It seems to me that several times a year the media is bringing to our attention the over eating problem in America.

The problem with diabetes is reaching in to elementary schools now. This was not the case years back. So if this study has a list of documented stats that are health department and factually it would make for an interesting observation.

I would be interested to know if the book does a real case study and has verifiable data to support the finding or opinion.

[HypoTypoSis]

Studies a couple decades or so back focused in on Pentecostals and similar denominations having more of the wider range of problems alluded to, i.e. the broader range of addictive abuses; presumably, what they feel they need and what the denomination provides finds a correlation in the emotional and mental issues they exited despite the fact that alcohol, drugs, abusive relationships, depression (of which, overeating is often symptomatic), etc. they had, as a result, become mired in and merely "covered over" those deeper issues. It is questionable, too, their addictions, having never really been reconciled, were merely replaced by what the denomination offered, iow, trading one addiction for another.

[christian73]

I don't think this is limited to the Baptist denomination.

Rather I think the majority of Western culture, especially the United States, is obsessed with excess. We are a culture that does not accept the answer "No" to anything and so we indulge to the destruction of both our spiritual life and in this case our health.
I agree with Jesiah. The obesity in this country is not limited to Baptists. I have a friend who is Presbyterian, and is overweight. Some people have thyroid problems (like my friend), but a lot of it has to do with our fast-paced lifestyle.

[InDeoHonorium2]

It does have a lot to do with our lifestyle.
I can tell you the changes I am making have nothing to do with spirituality or religion; and I am only considered "Mild to moderately" overweight as in I am losing 10 pounds over the next month....
Let's validate what Jesiah says as true.
Fast Food: It is convenient, popular, easy and it contributes greatly to the national problem of obesity. It contributes to our grab and go lifestyle, which unfortunatly too seldom includes "grab and go lift some wieghts at the gym"
HyopTyposis is very much right on too. I had a family member that had depression and this was only agrevated and covered up by her involvement in a baptist church. Once we got her out of that and into a presbyterian church, lo and behold, things atarted to change, including meeting a presbyterian minister who hooked her up with a psychiatrist and got her the help she needed.
SO yes, there is clear documented evidence of addictions and problems being aggrevated by religious experiences.

So, in the meantime, look at yourself, do you have bad eating hapits? do you allow addictions to control you? Do you know someone who does? If so be part of the solution not part of the problem.

[christian73]

It does have a lot to do with our lifestyle.
I can tell you the changes I am making have nothing to do with spirituality or religion; and I am only considered "Mild to moderately" overweight as in I am losing 10 pounds over the next month....
Let's validate what Jesiah says as true.
Fast Food: It is convenient, popular, easy and it contributes greatly to the national problem of obesity. It contributes to our grab and go lifestyle, which unfortunatly too seldom includes "grab and go lift some wieghts at the gym"
HyopTyposis is very much right on too. I had a family member that had depression and this was only agrevated and covered up by her involvement in a baptist church. Once we got her out of that and into a presbyterian church, lo and behold, things atarted to change, including meeting a presbyterian minister who hooked her up with a psychiatrist and got her the help she needed.
SO yes, there is clear documented evidence of addictions and problems being aggrevated by religious experiences.

So, in the meantime, look at yourself, do you have bad eating hapits? do you allow addictions to control you? Do you know someone who does? If so be part of the solution not part of the problem.


:amen: I wholeheartedly agree with the last paragraph especially.

[arunma]

I agree that the problem is more with Western culture than with the church, since Christians in Eastern countries (at least the ones I've met) seem to be quite healthy. Nonetheless, there is an underlying problem with fundamentalism. The problem I see is that modern fundamentalism (not to be confused with orthodoxy) teaches Christians to achieve their salvation by works of an artificially constructed law (no drinking, no movies, etc.), and then at the end of the day to say "saved by grace through faith" as a mere intellectual position. It can be extremely harmful, since it intellectually affirms salvation by grace through faith, without accepting this most important doctrine at the heart level. Ultimately, no one will be sanctified by peer pressure to life a certain lifestyle, which is why I think that fundamentalism is a bit more conducive of addictive behaviors.

[eldermike]

I have had my struggles with food. I have done much better the last few years once I was convicted that this issue of food addictions is real.

On a light note, I heard a preacher on this subject at a Christian biker event; he said the pearly gates are at the end of a narrow road. He said he was sure that if a man was born again he would go through them but it's better if we don't have to turn sideways to do so. It was a joke.

[HypoTypoSis]

Well, from a Christian viewpoint it is a spiritual problem as it boils down to the old adage "control thyself". It doesn't matter what it is, particularly, if it is to excess. When was the last time anyone did not eat (i.e. fasted) for a day, or two, of for a week-or more? Or, for that matter, you smokers out there, when was the last time you didn't smoke all day Sunday? Or for the TV crowd, when was the last time the tube was left off all week missing all your soaps, shows and sports games? Or the beer drinkers looking in the fridge at a beer and not wondering if you wanted another one? Not partaking in any of these sorts of "habits" is fasting just as not eating is. The idea of fasting is to spiritualloy get closer to God and this is accomplished through denying self for if self cannot be controlled how can the will be submitted to that of God's? To not deny self is to put self and its wants above those of God and that means pride is right there and we have thus made ourselves a god unto itself.

[rkymtnjesusfreak]

I have had my struggles with food. I have done much better the last few years once I was convicted that this issue of food addictions is real.

On a light note, I heard a preacher on this subject at a Christian biker event; he said the pearly gates are at the end of a narrow road. He said he was sure that if a man was born again he would go through them but it's better if we don't have to turn sideways to do so. It was a joke.

:D :D

[JPPT1974]

People with emotional, mental, and
Physical problems try to fuel their addictions
As they need more alchol, drugs, food, etc
But also their attitudes change with it
When Satan tries to intervene as they
Need discernment on what is right and
What is wrong.

[InDeoHonorium2]

Well, from a Christian viewpoint it is a spiritual problem as it boils down to the old adage "control thyself". It doesn't matter what it is, particularly, if it is to excess. When was the last time anyone did not eat (i.e. fasted) for a day, or two, of for a week-or more? Or, for that matter, you smokers out there, when was the last time you didn't smoke all day Sunday? Or for the TV crowd, when was the last time the tube was left off all week missing all your soaps, shows and sports games? Or the beer drinkers looking in the fridge at a beer and not wondering if you wanted another one? Not partaking in any of these sorts of "habits" is fasting just as not eating is. The idea of fasting is to spiritualloy get closer to God and this is accomplished through denying self for if self cannot be controlled how can the will be submitted to that of God's? To not deny self is to put self and its wants above those of God and that means pride is right there and we have thus made ourselves a god unto itself.

Great Post HypoTypoSis

I remmeber many years ago, and I mean MANY years ago, I announced that for the season of Lent I would observe fasting and penance. This drew a chorus of boos from members of a local congregation where I attended on occasion. I was told "Only catholics do that and only because they HAVE to Don't do it"
blah blah blah

I did it anyway

Now by that time I was easing away from the church scene and the organized religion scene and closer to God and the Spiritual scene, and I saw fasting as a way of drawing closer to God.

I still do it on occasion.
Yes, I drink beer. I do not preach against it, as long as you are of drinking age, not operating a vehicle or responsible for someone else while drinking and as long as the beer does not control YOU...as in you decide when and how much....

I like Wine too. So did Jesus, I understand.

I avoid all manner of illegal drugs. They are dangerous, and they are illiegal. I encourage the same amongst others.

As for the obesity within abusive congregations, I was not suggesting that it is only a Baptist or only a Christian problem, I was making a point that Fr Booth may be right on with his observation. Many addictive personalities flock to church where they replace other addictions such as alcohol or drugs with religion...forming a religious addiction. Many in abusive churches however form a food/eating addiction
as a result of the barriers and limits set on them by the congregation.

Big part of why I am not religious...spiritual yes, religious no

I decide what works for me, and I follow that path.

Thanks for your posts

[rainbowpromise]

It really anoys me when people blame fast food for overweight. My granddaughter is 10 years old and wears adult size clothing because she is overweight. We stop for fast food once a month. She gets a baked potato with chives. Sometimes we bring a plain salad for her, but usually she just gets a dry potato with chives sprinkled on.
Her weight certainly cannot be tacked onto the fast food label. Even before we discovered more of her allergies she was limited to salads with no dressing and a meat patty. She is very excited though because we found a place that has "safe" fries for her. Way out of our way, so we go there at least twice a year for her.

Now looking at the addictions. I have had some people comment to me that I need to overcome my addiction to food. Those are people who have never seen me at a potluck. My pastor used to ask me if I ever ate. I usually have a small plate of food and then head for the kitchen to clean up. The food is not in the kitchen so I am not a closet eater.
The last training I went to I looked around me at the table. There were ladies from all different denominations. Just about all of them were skinny, except me of course. You know those ladies sat at the table eating from the time we got there until lunch time. I had not even remembered to bring lunch with me. At lunch I took over half of my lunch time to slip over to the store for a veggie wrap. They were still eating when I got back. And I believe several of them were dipping into the goodie tray in the afternoon as well. I couldn't because of food allergies.

I believe that the biggest contribution to my weight gain has been forgetting to eat. Reasearch has proven that if your body is deprived it tends to store what you do eat.

I do have two addictions that I indulge. I buy buckets of ice cream every time I go shopping. I am allergic to it so I don't eat it. I also buy 3 of every flavor of jello if I go down that isle. I don't even like jello.

Connecting it to my denomination however is really stretching. I was overweight before I attended church.

[GordonSlocum]

Studies a couple decades or so back focused in on Pentecostals and similar denominations having more of the wider range of problems alluded to, i.e. the broader range of addictive abuses; presumably, what they feel they need and what the denomination provides finds a correlation in the emotional and mental issues they exited despite the fact that alcohol, drugs, abusive relationships, depression (of which, overeating is often symptomatic), etc. they had, as a result, become mired in and merely "covered over" those deeper issues. It is questionable, too, their addictions, having never really been reconciled, were merely replaced by what the denomination offered, iow, trading one addiction for another.

I can see the correlation.

[tonysma]

We live in a very fast paced world...Both parents have to work...There is no time to cook...So the world as turned to fast foods..Eating out is very common now...NO matter where you eat when you go out, the food is high in fat....Children are raised on these foods....the healthiest are probably the poorer people, who can not afford this lifestyle...Not just a certain type of church....We have become a fat nation....

[RadicallyTransformedMom]

Some great thoughts and posts. I read Fr Leo Booth years ago..i need to get his book from the library again! Some valid points have been brought up in this thread. I think it is easy to shift from one addiction to another, including a religious addiction.

We eat to excess. NOBODY needs a supersized Fry or a Double Quarter Pounder..NOBODY!

We need to eat less and exercise more! And yes, sometimes we need to reach down to the CORE of our problem..which is spiritual.

[FallingWaters]

It really anoys me when people blame fast food for overweight. My granddaughter is 10 years old and wears adult size clothing because she is overweight. We stop for fast food once a month. She gets a baked potato with chives. Sometimes we bring a plain salad for her, but usually she just gets a dry potato with chives sprinkled on.
Her weight certainly cannot be tacked onto the fast food label. Even before we discovered more of her allergies she was limited to salads with no dressing and a meat patty. She is very excited though because we found a place that has "safe" fries for her. Way out of our way, so we go there at least twice a year for her.

Now looking at the addictions. I have had some people comment to me that I need to overcome my addiction to food. Those are people who have never seen me at a potluck. My pastor used to ask me if I ever ate. I usually have a small plate of food and then head for the kitchen to clean up. The food is not in the kitchen so I am not a closet eater.
The last training I went to I looked around me at the table. There were ladies from all different denominations. Just about all of them were skinny, except me of course. You know those ladies sat at the table eating from the time we got there until lunch time. I had not even remembered to bring lunch with me. At lunch I took over half of my lunch time to slip over to the store for a veggie wrap. They were still eating when I got back. And I believe several of them were dipping into the goodie tray in the afternoon as well. I couldn't because of food allergies.

I believe that the biggest contribution to my weight gain has been forgetting to eat. Reasearch has proven that if your body is deprived it tends to store what you do eat.

I do have two addictions that I indulge. I buy buckets of ice cream every time I go shopping. I am allergic to it so I don't eat it. I also buy 3 of every flavor of jello if I go down that isle. I don't even like jello.

Connecting it to my denomination however is really stretching. I was overweight before I attended church.My neice got obese on potatoes, too.

[FallingWaters]

We live in a very fast paced world...Both parents have to work...There is no time to cook...So the world as turned to fast foods..Eating out is very common now...NO matter where you eat when you go out, the food is high in fat....Children are raised on these foods....the healthiest are probably the poorer people, who can not afford this lifestyle...Not just a certain type of church....We have become a fat nation....What's worse is they serve "fast food" at school now, too! I read the menu every now and then and a very small minority are meals like we used to have at school 30 years ago.

[GordonSlocum]

What's worse is they serve "fast food" at school now, too! I read the menu every now and then and a very small minority are meals like we used to have at school 30 years ago.


I started to say you told on yourself but your ages accompanies your post.

I can remember the lunches at school:mad: . They were terrible.

The cake was always good. Give me a peanut butter & jelly sandwich any day over the lunch room meal:thumbsup: .

But yes they were much more healthier then than now - you better not say a word about my age either. LOL

(peanut butter and jelly - that sure sounds good, but now it is diet peanut butter and jelly made with splenda, diet coffee, creamer, sugar, even diet water - now that is an idea:idea:)

[rainbowpromise]

My neice got obese on potatoes, too.

I don't believe potatoes made my granddaughter overweight. Potatoes in themselves are not unhealthy. However when we start adding all the flavoring to them, that is when it becomes unhealthy.
My youngest daughter actually loses weight if she lives on fries and chocolate. I don't even want to think about it. :eek:
I personally avoid potatoes if at all possible. I just don't like them.

[FallingWaters]

Starchy foods are my problem.

[christian73]

I don't believe potatoes made my granddaughter overweight. Potatoes in themselves are not unhealthy. However when we start adding all the flavoring to them, that is when it becomes unhealthy.
My youngest daughter actually loses weight if she lives on fries and chocolate. I don't even want to think about it. :eek:
I personally avoid potatoes if at all possible. I just don't like them.
French fries are not good for you. Other than that, potatoes are good for you.

[rainbowpromise]

French fries are not good for you. Other than that, potatoes are good for you.

For me as far as potatoes done any way, I would rather go without.

Instead of mashed potatoes on Shepherd's Pie, I use cauliflower without butter or margarine. No cheese either!

I actually remember the day I decided that I did not like potatoes. I was 5 years old and we went to the ocean. I decided that rotten potatoes and a ship's galley smell about the same. After that day everytime I smelled potatoes cooking I would feel sick. As a kid the only way my mom could get me to eat potatoes was if they were massed and smothered in vegetables like peas or carrots.

My granddaughter likes all vegetables except asparagus.

[HypoTypoSis]

The lean foods put more into the body than they take out.
The fatty foods take out more than they put in.
Transfatty Acids are unsafe for human consumption in ANY quantity. Read the food labels and don't buy ANYthing with transfats.

[TwinCrier]

The lean foods put more into the body than they take out.
The fatty foods take out more than they put in.Transfatty Acids are unsafe for human consumption in ANY quantity. Read the food labels and don't buy ANYthing with transfats.
:thumbsup: Thems some bad stuff.
http://www.ifst.org/uploadedfiles/cms/store/ATTACHMENTS/tfas.pdf

[HypoTypoSis]

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?FORM=IE7&q=american+academy+of+science+and+transfatty+acids