Healthy Living With God: Bible Study

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“A lack of available fresh produce, nonexistent areas for exercising, a proliferation of fat-laden fast food franchises” contribute to poor health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes (Seligson, 2010). Neighborhood factors such as poorly lit streets and rates of high crime, which discourage women from exercising outside, contribute to diabetes and also increased stress, another contributing factor of diabetes. The unmet needs of African American women ages 25 and older are lack of education, lack of access to care (fresh foods, exercise areas, clinics) and the postponing of needed medical attention. To combat Type 2 diabetes among African American women ages 25 and older, a faith-based (faith-placed) wellness program is proposed. A faith-based …show more content…

Objectives of the program relate to meeting the unmet needs of the population: lack of education, lack of access to care (fresh foods, exercise areas, clinics) and the postponing of needed medical attention. “Healthy Living with God” is a year-long program meant to take place within African American church communities. The main part of the program is the “Healthy Living with God” Bible Study Series. The Bible Study Series will include four books, one for every 12 weeks of the program. The books will be written to appropriately suit the population, taking cultural factors and levels of literacy into account. Each book series will include a leader discussion guide, diabetes educational information, motivational messages of health and wellness, menu plans, exercise plans, personal weight and measurement record, and a scripture memory music CD full of inspirational prayers, psalms, and …show more content…

A Small Group is, “an intentional gathering, meeting regularly for the purpose of joining God’s mission” (“What is a,” 2010). The Small Groups will consist of ten or fewer members, intentionally gathering, and will meet regularly at least once a week for one to two hours. Each week will correlate with a specific chapter of the books. At Small Group, the group leader will lead the discussion using the “leader discussion guide” and members will educate themselves and each other about diabetes, while hearing God’s word and learning ways to live healthier to prevent or treat diabetes. At each Small Group, the group leader or another member will make a meal for the group following one of the recipes from the Bible Study Series. The group leader will also encourage Small Group members to schedule a time and a place to meet and exercise all together. For some African American women, depending on where they live, finding safe and accessible places to exercise is challenging. The Small Groups should meet up and exercise at a park or recreational center if it is available and accessible. If such a location is not available, the members of the small group can do indoor workouts at home using the exercise plans in the Bible Study

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