A Comprehensive Review of Faith-Based Physical Activity Interventions

Abstract

This review provides a summary of physical activity interventions delivered in faith-based organizations. Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant studies. After screening, a total of n = 27 articles matched our inclusion criteria; 19 were identified as faith-based interventions (some spiritual or Biblical element included in the intervention) and 8 as faith-placed interventions (no spiritual component). Among all interventions, the most common research design was a randomized controlled trial. African American women were the most commonly targeted population and predominately Black churches were the most common setting. The majority of studies used self-report measures of physical activity. Most of the interventions did not use a theoretical framework to shape the intervention and weekly group sessions were the most frequently reported intervention approach. Overall, 12 of the faith-based and 4 of the faith-placed interventions resulted in increases in physical activity. Recommendations for future faith-based physical activity interventions include more rigorous study design, improved measures of physical activity, larger sample sizes, longer study and follow-up periods, and the use of theory in design and evaluation. Although limited, literature on faith-based physical activity interventions shows significant promise for improving physical activity participation and associated health outcomes.

The Role and Influence of Faith Leaders on Health-Related Issues and Programs in their Congregation

“…The questions were developed to expand on the current literature examining how the faith leader, the faith leader's health behaviors, and institutional support can influence health and wellness promotion in faith-based organizations (Bopp and Fallon 2011;Bopp et al 2012;Campbell et al 2007a;Peterson et al 2002). Participants were asked the following questions (note prompts are not listed):…”

“…Although it is suggested that pastors have a strong influence over their congregants for many other life issues, and numerous faith-based health promotion interventions have successfully changed health behaviors (Campbell et al 2007a;Bopp et al 2012;Peterson et al 2002), the pastor's influence over health-related issues is not well studied or understood. Of the limited studies conducted, only a few have examined the pastor's influence on the health of the congregation from the pastor's perspective (Bopp and Fallon 2011;Williams et al 2012).…”

Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts

“…[36][37][38][39] Successful faith-based physical activity interventions have included group-based programs with spiritual messages from church leaders in order to establish a deep connection with participants' culture and values to improve retention and behavior change. 36,[40][41][42][43][44][45] However, to our knowledge, there are no faithbased interventions that focus on reducing sedentary behavior among Latinos. Because spirituality plays such a vital role in the lives of Latino adults, considerably more research is needed in order to understand the extent to which using spiritual messages both in and out of faith-based organizations may serve to influence the behavior change process.…”

Enhancing the role of faith-based organizations to improve health: a commentary

“…In Leyva and colleagues' article, BUnderstanding Organizational capacity among Churches for Implementing Evidence-based Cancer Control Programs: A Community-Engaged Approach,^interviews were conducted with key informants to illuminate the potential and limitations of evidence-based health promotion programming. Their findings converge with others': that many FBO aspire to deliver or enhance their current capacity to deliver health programming, viewing it as consistent with an overall healthy mind, body, spirit connection; acknowledging their unique potential to reach vulnerable populations; and noting that their physical and social capital capacities render them an appropriate delivery organization [1,6]. The authors' findings on resource gaps and capacities are consistent with existing literature, including limited knowledge of substantive health issues and organizational, time, and human resource constraints.…”