Nourishing Body & Soul

U-M-based initiative targets African-American churches to improve healthy lifestyle choices

A new U-M program aimed at helping African-Americans improve their diets is taking advantage of a higher power.

Eight churches in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit are working with their members to spread the gospel of fruits and vegetables. Maurice Stovall of Ypsilanti is an early convert. Thanks to the program, Body & Soul, Maurice estimates he now eats at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

“I would not be eating fruits and vegetables if it wasn’t for Body & Soul. My taste buds have changed. Cookies and everything taste sweeter, but I feel better eating more fruits and veggies,” says Stovall, who coordinates the Body & Soul program at New Grace Apostolic Church in Ann Arbor.

Body & Soul is a nationwide, evidence-based health and wellness program tailored for African-American churches to bring a message of healthier lifestyle choices to their congregations. The program, a partnership between the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UMHS Program for Multicultural Health, works with church leaders to provide educational materials and resources that encourage members to eat more fruits and vegetables, and increase activity.

“As the church’s leader, the pastor’s support of the program is vital,” says Natasha Blakeney Wilson, M.P.H., coordinator of the Cancer Center’s minority outreach initiatives and the Body & Soul program. “From there, it trickles down through functions and events. If you surround the congregation with healthy choices, it shows how simple it is to make eating more fruits and vegetables part of their lives.”

Churches have found success replacing traditional coffee and doughnuts with fresh fruit “Smoothie Sundays.” At Belleville’s Power Centre International Church, members planned a “Taste of Body & Soul” event, featuring a variety of healthy foods. Water has replaced punch, and church health team leader, DeAnne Watson, says more events are featuring fresh fruit instead of doughy sweets.

“People are sincerely interested,” she says. “We’ve made people aware of their health and food choices.”

Rev. Maymette Dolberry of Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti says the church incorporates exercise and healthy advice into each service. “It’s been a blessing for our church,” she says.