42 Chapter 3: Weight Management Introduction According to a 2010 online poll, 64% of Americans said the first thing they noticed about someone was how attractive they were. Another online poll reported that the majority of U.S. men admitted looks were more important than personality when determining a mate. Similarly, a 2017 study, found that men must be at least “moderately attractive” in order for a woman to consider his personality. And finally, a 2018 study found that 76% of Americans favor appearance over reliability when selecting their next car. These collective results are neither unexpected or surprising. American culture, as evidenced by the majority of reality television shows, clearly suggests that one’s appearance is more important than their character. But what about Christians? Is it wrong for Christians to consider looks when choosing a mate? And, how much time (if any) should Christians put into bettering their appearance? The Bible makes it clear that appearance is overrated and, at best, a temporary attribute (Prov. 11:22; 31:30). Additionally, the Bible shows that God is more concerned with a person’s heart than he is the outward appearance (1 Sam. 16:7). This means that although our culture may value appearance over character; as Christians, our identity should not be found in how we look but rather in whom we serve (Eph. 1). In addition to not placing undue importance on outward appearance, the Bible also says we should avoid slothful and gluttonous behavior (Prov. 19:24; 21:25; 23:20-22; Eccles. 10:18). These recommendations are supported in the literature as well. For example, research shows that sedentary behavior and/or overeating are clearly linked to the onset of obesity (Hill et al., 2013; Hu, 2003). While the Bible says our outward appearance is not of vital importance, we are called to be good stewards of our bodies. Obesity Defined Obesity is a disorder characterized as having abnormal or excessive fat accumulation to the point of presenting a health risk. It is estimated that nearly two out of three U.S. adults are overweight, and one out of three U.S. adults are obese (Flegal et al., 2012). Additionally, research shows that without some type of dietary and/or physical activity intervention, the average U.S. adult will gain one pound (1.0 lb.) of fat and lose a half pound (0.5 lb.) of muscle annually after the third decade of life (Mozaffarian et al., 2011; Rom et al., 2012). This phenomenon is demonstrated in Figure 3.1 (Westcott & Loud, n.d.). Individuals with obesity are at greater risk for multiple diseases or conditions including sleep apnea, heart disease, gallbladder disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer (e.g., endometrial, colon, gallbladder, prostate, kidney, breast). It is important to note that these conditions are correlated or related to obesity, not caused by obesity. There are numerous factors that contribute to the onset of various medical conditions to include family history, smoking, and lifestyle factors (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep, stress).
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