Anshel Mark H, Smith Mitchell
Departments of Health and Human Performance and Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, Box 96, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA,
J Relig Health. 2014 Aug;53(4):1046-59. doi: 10.1007/s10943-013-9702-5.
The growing obesity epidemic in the West, in general, and the U.S.A., in particular, is resulting in deteriorating health, premature and avoidable onset of disease, and excessive health care costs. The religious community is not immune to these societal conditions. Changing health behavior in the community requires both input from individuals who possess knowledge and credibility and a receptive audience. One group of individuals who may be uniquely positioned to promote community change but have been virtually ignored in the applied health and consulting psychology literature is religious leaders. These individuals possess extraordinary credibility and influence in promoting healthy behaviors by virtue of their association with time-honored religious traditions and the status which this affords them-as well as their communication skills, powers of persuasion, a weekly (captive) audience, mastery over religious texts that espouse the virtues of healthy living, and the ability to anchor health-related actions and rituals in a person's values and spirituality. This article focuses on ways in which religious leaders might promote healthy habits among their congregants. By addressing matters of health, nutrition, and fitness from the pulpit and in congregational programs, as well as by visibly adopting the tenets of a healthier lifestyle, clergy can deliver an important message regarding the need for healthy living. Through such actions, religious leaders can be effective agents in promoting critical change in these areas.
总体而言，西方尤其是美国日益严重的肥胖流行正导致健康状况恶化、疾病过早且可避免地发作以及医疗保健成本过高。宗教团体也未能免受这些社会状况的影响。在社区中改变健康行为既需要拥有知识和公信力的个人提供投入，也需要有 receptive audience（这里原文有误，推测是“接受者群体”）。宗教领袖是一群可能处于独特地位来推动社区变革，但在应用健康与咨询心理学文献中几乎被忽视的人。这些人凭借与历史悠久的宗教传统的联系以及由此赋予他们的地位，在促进健康行为方面拥有非凡的公信力和影响力——以及他们的沟通技巧、说服力、每周（固定的）受众群体、对宣扬健康生活美德的宗教文本的精通，还有将与健康相关的行动和仪式与个人价值观及精神信仰相结合的能力。本文重点探讨宗教领袖可以通过哪些方式在其会众中推广健康习惯。通过在讲坛上以及会众活动中谈论健康、营养和健身问题，以及明显地践行更健康生活方式的原则，神职人员可以传递关于健康生活必要性的重要信息。通过这些行动，宗教领袖可以成为推动这些领域关键变革的有效力量。
