Clergy's weight issues "have more to do with their sense of isolation because there has been a loss of status for clerical professions," she said. "They are in a job without a great deal of respect, the pay is low, and there is a lot of depression among clergy. This is reflected in their bodies."
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Fat Clergy
Clergy are apparently getting fat at a faster rate than the population. This merits an article in the Washington Post. The cause of their weight gain:
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Jay,
You didn't comment on the Post article at all! What do YOU think?
That stress and isolation are huge factors to overeating and depression for anyone--not just clergy--seems like a "duh" statement. It is definately true for this churchlady.
I liked the part of the article where someone said that they didn't want the health ministry to be just another programming pressure for clergy who are already stressed and depressed. As a solution to this, some denominations are having others run the health and fitness programs for their clergy and congregations.
So do you think Cathy Heuser, as a part of the OC Wellness Ministry, would lead us on this path of a Wellness journey at the OC??
I've had a book for the last two years that is haunting me on my side table--but I've not yet done anything about it other than read it and then look at it from time to time. It is called Mastering Leptin by Byron J. Richards. It explains all about the hormone leptin and it's power over stress and eating. (It has to do with seratonin and neurobiology.) The books states a "5 Simple Rules" guideline that is supposed to lead you into weight loss and away from cravings. Otherwise we are all on the road to diabetes, accellerated aging and mental decline, cancer, heart disease, strokes...etc. etc. etc.
To cover up my inability to implement the 5 Simple Rules, I put up and stocked up the little wine rack in our newly redecorated living room! I tell people in jest that my new motto is "Drink more red wine, exercise less." But I know it is not the answer.
Last weekend a friend, Dawn, invited me to go to an evening with Ann Bancroft at the Fitzgerald theatre for a "salon evening" on the theme of survivors. Dan Beuttner was one of the guests and he talked about an article he was writing for National Geographic about "The Blue Zone". He and other scientists and physicians had gone to places all over the globe where more people lived to be 80 or more--and lived happily (the other critical piece). It was fascinating and I need to find that article!!
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