Dietary practices of atheists

2019-11-25T19:34:50Z

Capelleveen: dutch behaviour

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|The dietary practices of [[Atheism|atheists]] are largely dependent on where they live and where they were raised. But eating baby's is quite normal among atheists. A majority of the world's atheists are likely [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Global atheism]]).]]
As can be seen below, the '''dietary practices of atheists''' are largely dependent on where they live and where they were raised.

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in [[secular Europe]]/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed '[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies'. It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]
== Asian atheists diet ==

''See also:'' [[Asian atheism]]

=== East Asian/Chinese diet ===

See: [https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/9b45zn/following_a_chineseeast_asian_diet/ East Asian/Chinese diet]

=== China and obesity ===

See: [[China and obesity]]
[[File:Peking duck (1).jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|A [[China|Chinese]] cook slicing Peking roast duck.]]
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== Western atheists diet ==
[[File:France location.png|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[France|French]] are well-known for their culinary achievements.<ref>[https://www.thespruceeats.com/introduction-to-french-food-and-cooking-1375348 A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking] BY Rebecca Franklin</ref> See also: [[French cuisine]] ]]
=== Secular Europe ===

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe]]

From a global perspective, [[Europe]] is more secular/[[Atheism|atheistic]] than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: [[Atheist population]] and [[Global atheism]]). In the Netherlands most of the Dutch people give their babies weed before eating them so they become also high from eating babies.

==== European diet ====

*[https://oureverydaylife.com/470612-european-culture-and-diet.html European culture and diet]

==== Secular Europe and obesity ====

See: [[Secular Europe and obesity]]

=== Australia ===

See: [[Irreligion in Australia]]

==== Australian diet ====

*[https://rumblespaleo.com.au/the-standard-australian-diet/ The Standard Australian Diet: The Good and The Bad]
*[https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/australian-diet-worse-than-originally-thought-csiro-study-suggests/news-story/2b55affbb7bdaf14a82ec5d64761722c Australian diet worse than originally thought, CSIRO study suggests]

==== Australia, irreligion and obesity ====

See: [[Australia, irreligion and obesity]]

== Atheists and pork consumption ==

''See also:'' [[Health risks of eating pork]]

See: [[Atheists and pork consumption]]

[[File:Pig.jpg|300px|thumbnail|center|Most of the world's [[Atheism|atheists]] are likely [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]]).
 
 
A very significant portion of atheists eat [[pork]] - especially [[China and atheism|Chinese atheists]] (see: [[Atheists and pork consumption]]).
 
 
''The Economist'' recently called China the "Empire of the pig" (see: [https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2014/12/17/empire-of-the-pig China: Empire of the pig]). ]]
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== Irreligion and horse meat eating ==

*[[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|Atheism and horse meat eating]]

[[File:Girl with a horse.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Although [[horse]]s are seen as an intelligent animal by many and a useful partner in getting work accomplished in many areas around the world, there are irreligious countries that also see horses as a source of food.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|Atheism and horse meat eating]] ]]
[[File:Horse picture.jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|There are [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|several irreligious countries that engage in horse meat eating]].
 
 
China produces more horse meat than any other country in the world, creating nearly half of the world’s supply of this animal protein.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
The reason why it is considered a dangerous animal protein is that horses are often given a medicine called phenylbutazone [or “bute” for short] that is dangerous to humans.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses]] ]]
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== Dietary/culinary practices of atheists ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and food science]] and [[Atheism and culinary science]] and [[Atheism, culinary arts, inspiration, innovation and food science]]

[[File:Food Science and Technology.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|A [[food science]] laboratory]]

=== Atheism, food science and culinary science ===

The Institute of Food Technologists defines [[food science]] as "the discipline in which the engineering, biological, and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public".<ref>Heldman, Dennis R. "IFT and the Food Science Profession." Food Technology. October 2006. p. 11.</ref>

Despite the efforts of food scientists and chefs in irreligious cultures to develop more flavorful food, there have been a significant amount of irreligious cultures with bland food that is not exciting from a culinary point of view (See also: [[Atheism and food science]] and [[Atheism and culinary science]]).

=== Soviet Union and bland food ===

Claude Lewis wrote in ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' about the food is the former [[Soviet Union]] which had militant [[state atheism]]: "Many people in the Soviet Union have grown tired of institutionalized food in state-run cafeterias found at state-run cafeterias such as Stolovaya No. 22 and Stolovaya No. 23 where the menus seldom change and often lack variety. Most food in the Soviet Union is unimaginative, tasteless and bland."<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1990-07-25/news/25898649_1_food-menus-cafeterias Making A Beef About Soviet Food]</ref>

=== Irreligious Nordic countries and bland food ===

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
 
 
[[Nordic]] food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>]]
[[Nordic]] countries have high atheist/[[agnosticism|agnostic]] populations within them (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).

[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>

Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
[[File:Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The Britain born [[New Atheism|new atheists]] [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Richard Dawkins]]. The late Christopher Hitchens was known for his heavy drinking.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> ]]
Iceland is one of the most irreligious countries in the world according to Gallup International.<ref>"[http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Iceland_Ranks_High_on_World_Atheist_List_0_392552.news.aspx Iceland Ranks High on World Atheist List]". Iceland Review. Retrieved 2013-10-05.</ref> A Gallup International poll conducted in 2012 reported that 57% of Icelanders considered themselves "a religious person", 31% considered themselves "a non religious person", while 10% defined themselves as "a convinced atheist", which places Iceland in the top 10 atheist populations in the world.<ref>"[http://redcresearch.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RED-C-press-release-Religion-and-Atheism-25-7-12.pdf GLOBAL INDEX OF RELIGION AND ATHEISM]" (PDF).</ref>

Nordic food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>

=== Irreligious Britain and bland food ===

A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref> See also: [[British atheism]]

International food authority Andrew Zimmern said of Britain's food: “Twenty years ago the food of the British Isles was universally considered to be among the world’s worst—boring, bland and boiled.”<ref>[http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/03/five-myths-about-british-food Five myths about British food]</ref>

(In the last 20 years, Britain has seen a large influx of immigrants many of whom eat spicier food. No doubt that is why Zimmern said "twenty years ago".)

See also: [http://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/09/03/why-does-british-food-get-such-a-bad-rap-we-examine/ Why Does British Food Get Such A Bad Rap? We Examine]

=== Irreligious Germany and bland food ===
[[File:Flag of Germany.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>]]
[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

''Parlour Magazine'' reported about German food:
{{Cquote|From a young age the German palate is adapted to enjoy the simple flavors of salt, wurst (sausage) and breadcrumbs, shunning anything too sweet, too spicy or too complex.

...I do occasionally enjoy a bit of spice and this is the dilemma. I grew up in a West Indian household led by my grandfather who was a chef, to say I was spoiled in terms of flavorful food would be an understatement. The pepper, the curry, the jerk – all flavors that fueled my youth and make me feel at home. How I survive in Germany, the land of bland, is a mystery to most who know me.<ref>[http://parlourmagazine.com/2011/12/black-in-berlin-german-food-american-food-travel-tips/ Black in Berlin: Surviving Germany’s Food Culture], Parlour Magazine</ref>}}

=== Irreligion, Eastern Europe and flavorless food ===

[[Eastern Europe]] was under about 70 years of atheistic, [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Communism|communist]] rule (see also: [[Atheism and communism]]). For example, [[Albania]] was an atheist state from 1967 to 1991.

The [[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], and East Germany have some of the lowest levels of religious belief in [[secular Europe]].

[[File:Czech location.png|thumbnail|200px|thumbnail|In 2005, the [[Czech Republic]] placed second in the world in alcohol consumption.<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-alcohol-consumption-figures-highlight-rising-number-of-problem-drinkers Czech alcohol consumption figures highlight rising number of problem drinkers], 23-02-2011 16:29 | Chris Johnstone</ref> See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]] ]]
From a historical perspective, the [[Czech Republic|Czechs]] have been characterised as "tolerant and even indifferent towards religion".<ref>Richard Felix Staar, ''Communist regimes in Eastern Europe'', Issue 269, p. 90</ref> According to the 2011 census, 34.2% of the Czech population declared they had no religion, 10.3% was [[Roman Catholic]] and 10.2% followed other forms of religion both denominational and nondenominational. Furthermore, 45.2% of the population did not answer the question about religion.<ref>Richard Felix Staar, Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Issue 269, p. 90</ref> From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011 the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39.0% to 26.8% and then subsequently to 10.3%.<ref name="1921-2001censuses">{{cite web|url=http://www.czso.cz/csu/2008edicniplan.nsf/engt/24003E05ED/$File/4032080119.pdf|title=Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses|language=Czech and English|accessdate=2010-03-09|publisher=Czech Statistical Office}}</ref>

Estonia is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world. Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>

''The Guardian'' reported in 2012 about Eastern Germany:
{{Cquote|A recent study called Beliefs About God Across Time and Countries found that 52.1% of people asked whether they believed in God identified themselves as atheists. This compared with only 10.3% in western Germany. Indeed, the survey was unable to find a single person under the age of 28 in eastern Germany who believed in God.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place Eastern Germany: the most godless place on Earth]</ref>}}

The ''Maverick Traveler'' reports:
{{Cquote|Eastern Europe isn’t known for its variety of exquisite dishes. Most of the dishes are a combination of three ingredients: bread, potatoes and meat. While it’s very hearty, it’s also very flavorless. If you’re there on a short trip or in the beginning of a more extended sojourn, you might find the food interesting and even exotic, but I can guarantee that you’ll quickly get tired of it.

Once you get tired of going out and eating bland local food, you’ll have two options: go to restaurants that serve international cuisine or cook your own food. The problem with the first option is that the international restaurant scene is rather limited in Eastern Europe.<ref>[http://mavericktraveler.com/13-things-dont-tell-eastern-europe/ 13 Things They Don’t Tell You About Eastern Europe] by James Maverick, Maverick Treveler</ref>}}

== Atheists and dog eating ==

*[[Atheists and dog meat eating]]

[[File:Chow chow.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Each year thousands of [[dog]]s are stolen in [[China]] and as many as 20 million dogs are killed in China to satisfy the dog meat industry.<ref>[https://www.unilad.co.uk/featured/stop-pet-dogs-stolen-for-meat/ The Chinese Government Must Stop Pet Dogs Being Stolen For Meat] by JERRY GADIANO, Unilad website</ref>
 
 
According to ''ABC News'', gruesome techniques are used in Chinese dog slaughterhouses.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjbWQAASPcs Chinese Dog Meat Festival | Undercover Cameras Reveal Brutality Chinese Dog Meat Festival | Undercover Cameras Reveal Brutality], ABC News, YouTube</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheists and dog meat eating]] ]]
[[File:Golden retreiver with a ball.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Rabbi Levi Welton wrote:

"...I've often wondered if the [[Bible]] supports animal activism and what exactly [[God]] would say if I posed the question, "Do You love dogs?"
 
 
Dogs are the only animals in the [[Torah]] that receive a reward for their actions. When the Jewish slaves flee Egypt, it states "not one dog barked” ([[Exodus]] 11:7). As a reward for that, [[God]] said, "…and flesh torn in the field you shall not eat; you shall throw it to the dog[s]" (Exodus 22:30; Mechilta)...
 
 
The notable sixteenth century [[Jew]]ish leader, the Maharsha, says that a dog is a creature of love. Hence, the [[Hebrew]] name for a dog is "kelev" which is etymologically derived from the words "kulo lev" or "all heart"...".<ref>[http://www.aish.com/sp/ph/Does-God-Love-Dogs.html Does God Love Dogs?] by Rabbi Levi Welton, Jan 4, 2014</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheists and dog meat eating]] and [[Judaism and dogs]] ]]
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== Atheists and cat eating ==

Both China and [[Vietnam]] practice [[state atheism]].

Please see:

*[[Cat slaughtering practices in China]]
*[[Cat meat trade in Vietnam]]

[[File:Cat.jpg|thumbnail|center|220px|China and [[Vietnam]] practice state atheism.
 
 
In 2009, ''The Star'' reported: "China's ''Chengdu Business Daily'' estimated recently that as many as 10,000 cats are consumed throughout Guangdong everyday."<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2009/07/26/trying_to_get_cat_off_the_menu_in_china.html Trying to get cat off the menu in China], ''The Star'', 2009</ref>
 
 
In the late 1990s so many cats were eaten in Vietnam that rodents took over farms in plague proportions and destroyed the year's crops.<ref>[https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/932285/Cat-meat-market-vietnam-gruesome-photos-animal-cruelty-slaughter-drown-boiled-alive-photos ''Inside a sickening cat meat market: Photos reveal the horror of barbaric cat trade''], Express, 2018</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Cat slaughtering practices in China]] and [[Cat meat trade in Vietnam]] ]]
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== Atheism and veganism ==

See: [[Atheism and veganism]] and [[New Atheism and veganism]] and [[Richard Dawkins on veganism]]
[[File:Vegetables.jpg|thumbnail|275px|center|Most atheists are not vegans (see: [[Atheism and veganism]]).
 
 
The majority of [[atheism|atheists]] are likely [[East Asia]]n (see: [[Asian atheism]]).<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref>
 
 
[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population (See: [[China and atheism]]).<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>
 
 
An estimated 4 to 5 percent of Chinese are [[vegetarian]]s.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vegetarianism_by_country&oldid=908977651 Vegetarianism by country]</ref>]]
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== Atheistic cultures and baby/children eating ==

See: [[Atheists eat babies meme|Atheists and baby eating]]

For additional information, please see:

*[https://abcnews.go.com/Health/chinese-made-infant-flesh-capsules-seized-korea/story?id=16296176 Chinese-Made Infant Flesh Capsules Seized in S. Korea], ''ABC News''

*[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/chinese-cannibalism-infant-flesh-outrages-world/ Chinese cannibalism of infant flesh outrages the world], ''Washington Times''

*[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2140702/South-Korea-customs-officials-thousands-pills-filled-powdered-human-baby-flesh.html Thousands of pills filled with powdered human baby flesh discovered by customs officials in South Korea], ''The Daily Mail''

*[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/05/horrifyingly-ground-baby-pills-are-real-thing/328490/ Horrifyingly, Ground Baby Pills Are a Real Thing] by Alexander Abad-Santos, ''The Atlantic''

=== Atheistic cultures and children eating ===

*[[Atheists eat babies meme#Soviet Union, famine and individuals eating children|Soviet Union and the eating of children]]

*[[Atheists eat babies meme#North Korea, famine and a father eating his children|North Korea and the eating of children]]

[[Image:Baby.jpg|thumb|200px|center|In 2014, ''The Washington Times'' reported: "China’s one child policy, baby trafficking, and sex trafficking of [[North Korean]] women aren’t the worst human rights violation happening in the country. [[abortion|Aborting]] innocent and healthy unborn children and eating them to boost one’s stamina and sexual health is.
 
 
South Korean customs officials recently seized thousands of pills filled with powdered human baby flesh arriving from China. Since August 2011, South Korean officials have intercepted more than 17000 pills smuggled from China."
<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/chinese-cannibalism-infant-flesh-outrages-world/ Chinese cannibalism of infant flesh outrages the world], ''Washington Times'', 2014</ref>}}
 
 
Please see: [[Atheists eat babies meme|Atheists and baby eating]] and [[Atheists eat babies meme#Atheistic China and baby eating|Communist China and baby eating]] ]]
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== Atheism and cannibalism ==

See: [[Atheism and cannibalism]]

[[File:Jeffrey Dahmer Milwaukee Police 1991 mugshot.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|The [[serial killer]] [[Jeffrey Dahmer]] engaged in [[cannibalism]]. He was an [[atheism|atheist]] while he committed these acts.<ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1sv4ky_serial-killer-jeffrey-dahmer-blames-atheism-and-evolution-belief-for-murders_news Serial Killer Jeffrey Dahmer blames Atheism and Evolution belief for Murders]</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheism and cannibalism]] ]]
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== Atheism and obesity ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]]

[[File:11834504 3cc3c49559.jpg|186px|right|thumbnail|Two of the major risk factors for becoming [[obesity|obese]] according to the [[Mayo Clinic]] are poor dietary choices and inactivity.<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=causes Causes of obesity]</ref> According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref> ]]
The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly [[China]]) and in [[secular Europe]]/[[Australia]] primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> Most [[atheism|atheists]] are [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]]). See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

Secular Europe and communist [[China]] have significant problems with obesity (see: [[Secular Europe and obesity]] and [[China and obesity]]). In addition, [[Australia]] has a significant problem with obesity (see: [[Australia, irreligion and obesity]]).

In the [[United States]] at the present time, the greater the degree of irreligiosity in a generation, the [[Atheism and obesity#Irreligion/religion, generations in the United States and obesity|higher their obesity rate is]].

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref>

Gallup declared concerning the study which measured the degree to which religiosity affects health practices: "[[Generalized linear model]] analysis was used to estimate marginal scores all five reported metrics after controlling for age (in years), gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education (number of years), log of income, and region of the country... Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 2-July 28, 2010, with a random sample of 554,066 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling.<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref>

The Gallup study gives some insight into the above average health habits of the very religious and not necessarily the health habits of [[atheism|atheists]]. The reason is that the Gallup organization defines a non-religious as a person where "Religion is not an important part of daily life and church/synagogue/mosque attendance occurs seldom or never. This group constitutes 29.7% of the adult population."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref> While many [[Western World|Western]] atheists are non-religious, not all non-religious people are atheists.

Gallup further declares:
{{cquote|Very religious Americans make healthier choices than their moderately religious and nonreligious counterparts across all four of the Healthy Behavior Index metrics, including smoking, healthy eating, and regular exercise. Smoking is one area of particular differentiation between the very religious and less religious Americans, with the nonreligious 85% more likely to be smokers than those who are very religious.<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>}}

A 2010 study reported in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' found that for Korean women living in California, religion "may help prevent obesity."<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951288/ Can religion help prevent obesity? Religious messages and the prevalence of being overweight or obese among Korean women in California.] J Sci Study Relig. 2010;49(3):536-49.
Ayers JW1, Hofstetter CR, Irvin VL, Song Y, Park HR, Paik HY, Hovell MF.</ref>

== See also ==

*[[Atheism and health]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category: Food]]

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Dietary practices of atheists

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