When the Body Becomes Ministry: African American Clergy, Theological Meaning-Making, and Obesity Intervention in Black Faith Communities in the USA

Obesity continues to drive chronic disease disparities in the USA, disproportionately affecting African American communities. Faith-based settings have been used to support health promotion, yet limited research has examined how clergy interpret and implement obesity-related interventions within congregational life. This study examines how African American clergy involved in weight loss initiatives address obesity within Black faith communities in Houston, Texas. This interpretive phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews with ten African American clergy involved in congregational health programming. Inductive thematic analysis identified five themes that were subsequently interpreted using the transtheoretical model. Clergy framed health as an extension of pastoral responsibility, integrating spiritual teachings with practical guidance while addressing stigma, resource constraints, and mistrust of health systems. Participants described using sermons, group programs, and informal counseling to promote behavior change, emphasizing relational influence, lived example, and congregational accountability. Messaging was adapted to align with faith traditions, cultural norms, and existing patterns of fellowship. Participants described obesity as a shared community concern and emphasized culturally and spiritually responsive approaches to congregational health promotion. These findings underscore the importance of culturally and spiritually responsive approaches that position clergy as central actors in community-based health efforts. Integrating faith leadership into intervention design may strengthen engagement and contribute to more effective strategies for addressing obesity disparities in Black faith communities.