Religious Teens Have Healthier Habits

Religious teens are less likely to drink and drive, and are more likely to eat right and engage in other healthy behaviors, a new survey says.

John M. Wallace Jr. and Tyrone A. Forman of the University of Michigan questioned 5,000 high school seniors about their religious participation and health habits. About one-third of those surveyed said they attended religious services once a week and considered religion an important part of their lives.

That same group of high school seniors also were less likely to get into fights, use tobacco or drugs, carry a weapon or drink and drive, the survey shows.

These students also were more likely to wear seat belts, eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep and exercise.

Survey findings suggest "that religion does not only simply constrain behavior, but it also encourages or promotes adolescents' involvement in behavior that can protect or enhance their health," researchers write in the Oct. 27 issue of Health Education and Behavior, a journal of the Society for Public Health Education.

Researchers also say the results were the same regardless of race, gender, family structure, parents' education and geographic region.

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