The	Body	and	Soul	intervention	offers	a	unique	opportunity	to	increase	fruit	and	vegetable	
intake among African Americans. The program includes three church-wide nutrition activities, 
one event with the church pastor, and one policy change, such as establishing guidelines for the 
type of food served at church functions. Lay counselors, who make at least two 15-minute calls to 
five participants, are given 12–16 hours of training. The program is suitable for implementation 
in home and church settings for African-American church members, aged 17–89 years. 
Implementation	time	varies	based	on	length	of	church	involvement.
 strategies For maintaining reCommenDeD WeigHt
 Weight maintenance is a lifelong health goal to reduce the multiple health problems that result from 
obesity (see Tables 7–1 and 7–2). The physical basis for excessive weight gain is relatively simple and 
straightforward: Overweight and obesity result from an imbalance in energy because of too many 
calories and not enough physical activity. Weight management means balancing the number of 
calories consumed with the number of calories burned. Despite the multiple factors involved, diet 
and exercise are the cornerstones of prevention of overweight and obesity. Homes, schools, work 
sites, and the community must all work together to promote healthy eating and physical activity. 
Strategies to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity may be accessed at the National 
Institute	of	Diabetes,	Digestive	and	Kidney	Diseases	weight	control	information	network	website.
 Strategies include the following:
 •	Choose	sensible	portions	of	foods	lower	in	fat.	Watch	portion	sizes.
 •	Learn	healthier	ways	to	make	favorite	foods.
 •	Learn	to	recognize	and	control	environmental	cues	that	make	you	want	to	eat.
 •	Have	a	healthy	snack	an	hour	before	a	social	gathering.
 •	Engage	in	moderate-intensity	physical	activity	for	30	minutes	every	day.
 •	Take	a	walk	instead	of	watching	television.
 •	Do	not	eat	meals	in	front	of	the	television.
 •	Keep	records	of	your	food	intake	and	physical	activity.	Weigh	yourself	weekly.
 •	Pay	attention	to	why	you	are	eating.