Ted Haggard: "Pastors are the Single Fattest Group of People I Know"

I often get accused of using provacative article titles or of posting controversial things, but this quote and start of this article really made me laugh (and suprised me!)

Seems Ted Haggard has a new diet book out.  Huh?  Yeah, that's right... Ted Haggard has a new diet book out.  Here's the press story... you'll find the quote right at the beginning!  Here goes:

"Pastors are the single fattest group of people I know," declares the Rev. Ted Haggard, a Colorado minister, in his new book, "The Jerusalem Diet."

And not only pastors but also, perhaps, their flocks.

A Purdue University researcher found that religious people were more likely to be overweight than their secular peers. There seem to be specific risk factors for Baptist women who often watch or read religious media.

Sociology professor Kenneth Ferraro theorizes that religious adults have a sense of well-being and acceptance unrelated to body image.

The Bible advocates moderation and lists gluttony as a sign of moral weakness, yet until obesity became a critical public-health concern, few religious leaders were preaching against overeating, Ferraro adds.

That is starting to change, as faith-based diet programs and Christian authors tackle the battle of the bulge.

"The proper motivation for staying in shape is to be a good steward of the body God has given you," says fitness guru Dino Nowak, author of "The Final Makeover" and founder of ESP Fitness (Emotional, Spiritual and Physical).

Physician Don Colbert's "What Would Jesus Eat?" advocates a diet based on biblical principles and the unprocessed, whole-grain foods of ancient times.

"The Jerusalem Diet," while inspired by the produce, nuts and grains served in abundance during Haggard's 1998 trip to Israel, also allows followers Big Macs and Mountain Dews when their weight is at or below a predetermined weekly target.

Faith-based membership programs include Weigh Down, which adds prayer to the dieter's routine, and The Maker's Diet, a 40-day diet and lifestyle regimen.

First Place, a leading Christian program, approaches weight loss from emotional, spiritual, psychological and physical perspectives.

"Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. If we just tackle the physical side of losing weight we're missing the three others," says Carole Lewis, national director of First Place and author of "STOP IT! Simple Solutions to Weight Loss."

Started as a small group in Lewis' Houston church in 1981, First Place now has chapters in 12,000 churches in every state. Its goal, says Lewis, is to put God into the diet equation.

Over 13 weeks, First Place participants read and memorize Scripture passages, engage in Bible study and prayer, and chronicle their progress in diet and exercise.

"We don't make weight loss the most important thing because other things may have to happen before you start to lose weight," Lewis says.

The name of the program comes from Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you."

That means, says Lewis, "We must give God first place in every area of our life."

Deana Rivera, who facilitates a First Place group at Evangel Church in Scotch Plains, says the first two sessions are devoted to issues of portion control, healthy eating and exercise.

"After that, it's about going within yourself to see what you need to do to really keep your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit," said Rivera, a mother of three young children. "We have to take care of our bodies like a precious jewelry box that you wouldn't throw junk into."

The stresses of life often make people lose touch with that image, adds Lewis.

"When painful things happen, most overweight people use food as a sedative. Others use alcohol or drugs. Our program is saying, 'Turn to God for healing and strength.' But we have to learn how to do that."

Although First Place is designed for a group setting, materials are available online at firstplace.org.

"It's not a miracle program," says Rivera. "But it's successful because it focuses on how to change yourself for the long run -- how to get closer to God -- rather than focusing on the one goal of losing weight."

Any thoughts?  Are you fat?  And do you need Ted Haggard to bring that to your attention?  :)

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