Diabetes and obesity rates could possibly have a correlation with church-going among African Americans a new study suggests.

The findings of the Duke University study released last month in the Journal of Religion and Health highlight two main conclusions: Black Americans who are Baptist are more likely to have diabetes than those who are Catholic or Presbyterian and Black men who go to church five or more times a week are three times more likely to be obese than those who seldom or rarely attend, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

The researchers of the study make clear that practicing religion does not lead to diabetes or obesity, but a correlation has been found among Blacks. Keisha L. Bentley-Edwards, associate director of research and director of the health equity working group at the Cook Center, states more research is needed to detail the exact reason the denomination and health conditions are linked.

The AJC reveals there are often comparisons between Black and White Christians, but not often cross-examinations of those who are of different denominations or are within the same denomination but to varying levels of involvement.

Read More