Faith, food, and the female body: A study in New Zealand churches

Category

Culture and Society

Description of research project

In New Zealand, many of us have grown up with strong messages about body size, health, and what we eat. These messages often suggest that being thin means you’re healthy, in control, and even a better person. These types of beliefs (called “diet culture” by researchers) can affect people’s wellbeing in many ways, including their mental, physical, spiritual, and social health. It can also lead to unfair treatment, especially for women and people from ethnic minority groups.
This research examines the beliefs of diet culture, contrasts them with biblical teachings, and explores how women experience the pressures of diet culture, particularly within Protestant Christian churches. The goal is to find a helpful and biblically grounded way for Christian communities to respond to diet culture and support women’s overall health and wellbeing.
This research project has two stages. If you choose to take part, you will begin with Stage 1, which is the main part of the study and is required for all participants (Stage 2 is optional).
Stage 1 - The first stage involves a one-on-one session, which includes firstly, a brief questionnaire we complete together, followed by an interview. The questionnaire consists of general demographic questions about you (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, education level, church denomination, church attendance, etc) and a series of questions about your thoughts and feelings related to your body and appearance. The interview will also explore your personal experiences and beliefs about food, body image, and dieting. There are no right or wrong answers – we just want to hear your thoughts and experiences. This one-on-one session can be conducted in person at a campus meeting room or online via Teams/Zoom (if you prefer). Duration: 45-60 minutes.
Stage 2 - Is optional. After completing Stage 1, you will receive a separate invitation to take part in Stage 2’s Focus Group sessions (60-90mins). At that point, you can decide whether or not you’d like to be involved—there’s no obligation.

Inclusion and/or exclusion criteria

We are looking for New Zealand-born European, Māori and Polynesian women aged 18-59 years who belong to Protestant Christian churches (of any denomination) in New Zealand to participate in this research.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take part in this research if any of the following apply to you:
• You have a history of a diagnosed eating disorder.
• You have a medical condition that affects eating or body weight (such as diabetes, coeliac disease, or Crohn’s disease).
• You work or have trained in nutrition or dietetics.
These criteria are in place to ensure the research is safe for participants and to help keep the focus on the research aims.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, feel free to contact the researcher for a quick and confidential chat.

Statement of ethics approval

Approved by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee on 2025-08-19 for 3 years.

AUTEC approval number

25/231

Contact person

Jennifer Bowden, jennifer.bowden@autuni.ac.nz

Participant information sheet