There are many different religions around the world which have different beliefs on certain aspects of health. Many religions have similar beliefs however other religions are strongly against certain aspects of illness. One of the main religions which have developed throughout the years is Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and national and ethnic loyalties.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible prohibits ingesting blood and they believe that Christians should not accept blood transfusions, donate or store their own blood for transfusion. This belief is based on an interpretation of scripture that differs from that of other Christian denominations. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that individuals seek the best possible medical care for themselves and their families. Jehovah’s Witnesses will seek professional medical aid without any blood transfusions. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood transfusion can lead to risks such as blood-borne diseases, immune-system reactions and human errors.
Numerous studies show that religious commitment is an important determinant of lifestyle and moral actions. For religiously committed people, many of their faith’s teachings offer moral and practical guidance regarding how to attain, maintain, or recover physical and emotional health (Levin 2001). Religion’s relations with body weight has not yet been extensively examined. There has been a few studies which have investigated the link between religion and health. There is continuing debate about the validity of using current definitions of obesity for non-white ethnic groups, for both adults and children. Different ethnic groups are associated with a range of different body shapes, and different physiological responses to fat storage. Health behaviours also differ according to different religious, cultural and socioeconomic factors, as well as by geography. Whilst many people from minority ethnic groups have healthier eating patterns than the White population, unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity are known to be of concern in some minority ethnic groups, in particular those of South Asian origin. Members of minority ethnic groups in the UK often have lower socioeconomic status, which is in turn associated with a greater risk of obesity in women and children. People from minority ethnic groups may experience elevated levels of obesity-related stigma. Child obesity prevalence has been shown to vary substantially between ethnic groups, with obesity prevalence generally lower in children of White British ethnicity.
Childhood Obesity 