Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment HLTH 640
Liberty University
Master of Public Health
HLTH 640
REFLECTION PAPER: CULTURAL ASSIGNMENT
Alessio Bernardini
ID: L32375181
June 20, 2022
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Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment HLTH 640
How do these passages of Scripture apply to the topic of the US culture’s view of
nutrition?
The passage of the scripture applies to the current US cultural views of nutrition. With the
increase of chronic diseases like heart diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, it is no surprise that
many of us are looking for health and wellness advice, which can come from the Bible. Today's
obese population in the United States is more than three times that of 30 years ago. Greed and
overindulgence are common topics in the Bible. Several passages in the book warn about the
dangers of overeating and drinking. After reading the paragraphs about overindulgence in food
and wine, it is well-defined that the biblical view regards these excesses as selfish and detract
from praising God. A Bible verse about health warns that greedy people will be punished with
poverty, according to Proverbs 23:19-21: "Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes
them in rags." 1 The Bible's predominant theme is that God created the human body; thus, we
should pay attention to our bodies by doing our best for both bodily and spiritual health. To
summarize, the Bible highlights that we should take care of our bodies and not overeat or drink
and practice moderation which keeps our minds focused and our bodies healthy.
Explain your culture’s view of food (gratification, lack of discipline, etc.).
My culture's view of food has always been for gratification, however, in moderation. As
mentioned before, I am from Italy, and for us, food is sacred. Therefore, we make food with love,
and we eat it with passion. So yes, food does give us gratification when eaten, especially when
cooked by you or by someone you love. However, we can still practice moderation and are
disciplined on not overeating. The same goes with drinking. We drink wine daily despite that we
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Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment HLTH 640
do not indulge in drinking too much. I follow what is preached in Proverbs 23:19-21 eat and
drink in moderation and avoid meat. With all that being said, we manage to keep our bodies
healthy and minds as well, thanks to the food we eat in Italy, which is very similar to the
Mediterranean diet, one of the most nutritious diets, and our religion. So, I would say that my
religion and my culture shape the way I see food. On top of that, we have proof that our diet is
healthy, as shown by our population's obesity levels being way below the US standards; there is
also a lower incidence of diseases like diabetes and heart disease. 2 Therefore, my cultural view
of food is healthy food eaten in moderation, satisfying us both physically and mentally.
Discuss how the journal article may influence someone with a Christian worldview
of nutrition.
The journal may influence someone with a Christian worldview of nutrition because it talks
about how this lady got diagnosed with diabetes and hyperlipidemia. It talks about how after she
learns about her diseases, she looks back at what she did wrong to cause those diseases to herself
and realizes that she has not been following’s god path. She has been indulging and overeating
junk food, leading to her diagnosis of a clogged artery and high blood sugar. Therefore, she took
a step back to the Bible and realized that she had to change her way of eating and how she was
living her life. So, she decided to embrace God’s guidance again to regain control of her life and
health. 3 I believe that this article can have a strong impact on a Christian view of nutrition. As a
Christian myself, I found this journal very inspirational, showing me and reinforcing that if we
follow God’s advice, we will live a healthy life both physically and mentally.
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Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment HLTH 640
References
1 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011
by Biblica, Inc.®
2 Kebles A, Hemrik M. Omega-Z Diet For Weight Loss. Amazon; 2021
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Reflection Paper: Cultural Assignment HLTH 640
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