Religiosity and Spirituality and the Intake of Fruit, Vegetable, and Fat : A Systematic Review

Abstract EN

Objectives.

To systematically review articles investigating the relationship between religion and spirituality (R/S) and fruit, vegetable, and fat intake.

Methods.

PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo were searched for studies published in English prior to March 2013.

The studies were divided into two categories: denominational studies and degree of R/S studies.

The degree of R/S studies was further analyzed to (1) determine the categories of R/S measures and their relationship with fruit, vegetable, and fat intake, (2) evaluate the quality of the R/S measures and the research design, and (3) determine the categories of reported relationship.

Results.

Thirty-nine studies were identified.

There were 14 denominational studies and 21 degree of R/S studies, and 4 studies were a combination of both.

Only 20% of the studies reported validity and 52% reported reliability of the R/S measures used.

All studies were cross-sectional, and only one attempted mediation analysis.

Most studies showed a positive association with fruit and vegetable intake and a mixed association with fat intake.

Conclusion.

The positive association between R/S and fruit and vegetable intake may be one possible link between R/S and positive health outcome.

However, the association with fat intake was mixed, and recommendations for future research are made.