Fitness, Activities, and Nutrition

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"The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program was developed with churches in South Carolina to help reduce the risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes by helping members to become more physically active and to eat a better diet. Research shows that diet and physical activity patterns that focus on increasing healthier foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while reducing sodium (salt), and unhealthy fats and increasing physical activity can help people move closer toward or maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of chronic disease, and promote overall health. Even small changes, if maintained over time, can give rise to important improvements in health.

The good news is that we can lower the risk for most chronic diseases by eating a heart-healthy diet and getting regular physical activity! FAN goals are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015) and the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2018), which provided science-based advice to promote health and reduce obesity and risk for major chronic diseases. Together, the guidelines encourage eating a variety of foods, balancing food choices, and taking part in regular physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. FAN encourages church members not only to make healthier lifestyle choices, but to also create church environments that support healthy behaviors (cms.sph.sc.edu/)."