Project FACT - Programs
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Cancer Information Service
Body & Soul Program for African
American Churches
Body and Soul
is a wellness program for African American churches that has been shown to
be effective at helping church members change behaviors that may reduce
their risk for diet-related chronic diseases. CIS conducts trainings
for partner organizations that have an interest in promoting the health of
the African American community by working with churches to implement the
Body and Soul program. Body and Soul is based on NCI funded research
and has been proven to:
* Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables
among participants
* Effect change in church policies and practices
related to foods served
* Increase awareness, knowledge and
self-efficacy of healthy eating among participants
* Establish collaborative relationships between
community partners and churches
The
Body and Soul program has four major pillars or components that represent
the core implementation structure of the program at the church level:
PILLAR
ONE:
A pastor who is
committed and involved
As the church’s spiritual and organizational leader,
the pastor’s support of the program is vital. The more actively involved
the pastor is, the better. Be
sure to get the pastor’s support up front. As the leader of the church, the
pastor’s support sends a clear message to the congregation. It shows that
the program is in keeping with the mission of the church. And it helps
church members see the link between physical health and spiritual well
being.
THE PASTOR CAN:
• Launch the Body & Soul program at a kick-off event. Sign “The Church’s
Commitment to Good Health” pledge. Affirm the pledge before the
congregation.
• Be a role model for the congregation by eating more fruits and vegetables
every day.
• Deliver inspirational messages about the link between good health and
spirituality. Include Bible verses that refer to healthy eating and living
in sermons, church bulletins, and newsletters.
• Ask that more fruits and vegetables be served at church functions to help
create a healthy church setting.
• Start a “Body & Soul Sunday” where the church focuses on health once a
month.
• Recognize the Body & Soul Planning Team.
• Praise the church members who have improved their eating habits.
Church activities that promote healthy eating
Church gatherings and workshops teach both
information and skills that encourage a healthy diet. A Body & Soul
Planning Team plans and carries out the program’s activities. Activities
that encourage church members to eat more fruits and vegetables are the
heart of Body & Soul. These can include workshops, cooking demonstrations,
taste tests, and many others.
Such activities help in three ways:
• Church members learn about health.
• They get the chance to try new types of fruits and vegetables.
• They gain skills to change their eating habits.
The more activities you offer, the more church members are exposed to
fruits and vegetables and are motivated to eat more. Body & Soul activities
begin with a kick-off event. This is followed by a range of learning
activities. Remember to celebrate the church’s success along the way, too.
PILLAR THREE:
A church environment that
promotes healthy eating
It’s important to surround the congregation with healthy choices at meals
and other church functions. This shows church members how simple it is to
make eating more fruits and vegetables part of their daily lives.
IDEAS FOR A HEALTHY CHURCH ENVIRONMENT
Successful Body & Soul programs bring
more fruits and vegetables into the church.
Here are some examples:
• Make changes in the church kitchen. These can include training the
kitchen committee, changing recipes and menus, and stocking the pantry with
more fruits and vegetables.
• Encourage members to share the bounty of their gardens with the church
family.
• Give bags of fruits and vegetables to sick and shut-in church members.
• Sponsor a farmers’ market at your church.
• Ask your local market or convenience store to sell more fruits and
vegetables.
• Start a garden committee to support a church garden.
PILLAR FOUR:
Peer counseling that motivates church members to eat a healthy diet
One-on-one support helps church members take more control over their
health. Church members talk with their peer counselors about how eating
healthier relates to their life goals and personal values. Peer counselors
tailor the talk to the person’s readiness to change. Together, the church
member and peer counselor come up with an action plan for eating more
fruits and vegetables. This approach empowers people to take more control
over their health. Peer counseling helps motivate church members to eat
more fruits and vegetables. Interested church members sign up to talk with
a trained volunteer. They can talk over the telephone or in person.
Each church chooses and trains members to be peer counselors. The
counselors learn skills for talking about health habits. A program to train
peer counselors is available on an interactive DVD.
The peer counseling pillar of Body & Soul is based on principles of
motivational interviewing. This kind of interviewing is a proven method for
changing health behavior. These skills can also be used in many outreach
activities at the church. Peer counseling helps “bring home” the Body &
Soul program. It helps church members see how eating healthier can fit into
their lives. It offers one-on-one attention and support to those who need
it. This personal touch is the final pillar of an effective Body & Soul
program.
For more information about the Body and Soul Program contact:
Project FACT
P.O. Box 40982
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: 919-931-6233
E-mail: info@projectfact.org
For more information about participating in a
Body and Soul research program contact:
Department of Nutrition
Gillings School of Global Public Health and School of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Campus box 7461
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Fax: 919-966-7215
E-mail: allicock@email.unc.edu
http://www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov/
- Fitness For Life
The Fitness for Life program is a 10-week program based on the latest
research linking physical activity with lower risks of diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, as well as with mental health and
injury prevention.
- Eight Weeks to Wellness
The Eights Weeks to Wellness program promotes positive lifestyle behaviors.
Eight Weeks to Wellness lifestyle change program encourages daily
participation and weekly 60-90 minutes interactive educational sessions.
Weekly Topics include:
- Developing a healthy lifestyle
- Becoming more physically active
- Choosing healthy fats
- Choosing healthy carbohydrates
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Enhancing mind-body connections
- Coping with stress
- Getting appropriate health checks
Address:
Gethsemane Seventh-Day Adventist Church
2525 Sanderford Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610
Telephone: 1-919-833-1844
Fax: 1-919-833-1843
Email: info@projectfact.org