According to a new Gallup poll, religious Americans make healthier lifestyle choices than the non-religious, even after controlling for demographic and regional variables. The very religious are much less likely to smoke and are much more likely to engage in healthy eating habits and regular exercise. Researchers said the results might have something to do with religious doctrine (especially when related to substance abuse and smoking), but they also suggested that people who are healthy might be the most likely to make the decision to be religious, i.e., they might be more able to attend and engage in religious services than those who aren’t as healthy.
