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.

PILLAR TWO:
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:

• Set up church policies that ensure more fruits and vegetables are served at church functions. The policies should include vending machines and church stores as well.
• 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:

Betsy Levitas, MPH, CHES
NCI's Cancer Information Service
Tel: (919) 286-5837
Fax:(919) 286-2558
Email: betsy.levitas@duke.edu

Kinjel Desai, MPH
NCI's Cancer Information Service
Tel: (919) 286-5837
Fax: (919) 286-2558
Email: kinjel.desai@duke.edu

Body and Soul
http://www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov/

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