Some say being religious improves your health. Others say it can make you fat, thus hurting your health.

One 2006 study found that Southern Baptists were the most likely of religious folks to be obese. Don't blame the southern cooking, though. The study found that that outlook on life is one culprit -- serious believers tend to see God's will defining their lives, and not personal choice. Perhaps groups that frown on smoking and drinking tend to go overboard when it comes to restricting food choices. And of course, there's the issue of eating at church functions. Doughnuts, coffee, potlucks, ice cream socials -- high-fat foods are part of the culture.

There's a flip side to this argument. Men who turn to religion, rather than food, for comfort tend to keep extra pounds off. And in some circles, health is the newest form of ministry. Some churches include in their missions goals for sports and fitness. Several churches in my city even have gymnasiums and offer fitness classes and athletic programs.

What's your belief. Does church make you fat? Fit? Or somewhere in between?

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FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

My mother-in-law just had her third hip replacement surgery. She's 82. She's a breast cancer survivor. She was always in great shape when her hips cooperated. I remember her hiking with us in her 70s and keeping up better than some folks half her age.

But lately, being religious about the regular walk schedule she should be keeping to ensure ongoing mobility and recovery hasn't been a strength of hers. Adding a religious element just might change that. My sister-in-law recently wrote to us about such a strategy when it comes to Mom's roadblocks with walking:

"She doesn't like walking alone and needs to push herself to just do it or to call some friends ... She mentioned that walking seemed like a 'chore.' I suggested she offer the walk as a prayer of gratitude for the gift of mobility and use of her senses to enjoy the day."

My mother-in-law is also a devout Catholic. And so, when I read about my sister-in-law's suggestion of exercise as an offering of prayer, I found myself thinking of her as an ingenius saint. Nothing like Catholic guilt to get Mom to do something. And, I thought, that just might be the answer for the rest of us, too. Rather than taking our working bodies for granted and blowing off exercise for some sedentary activity, maybe we should all be a little more grateful for our working bodies and get moving more often.

If you're a woman and feel yourself becoming anxious every day, perhaps a dose of religious faith is in order? According to new research, those women with an active life in religion are don't have nearly the anxiety as those without religion in their lives.

In fact, the research went as far as saying that those women who have recently become religious are still three times more likely to suffer from anxiety as those who have always been religiously active.

What do you think? Can a lifetime relationship with religion -- any religion -- free you up from the daily grind of anxiety?

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New research from a study conducted in Rome suggests that the power of prayer and faith helps stroke victims recover faster.

Of course, scientists aren't going to claim to have proven the existence of a higher power. Instead, researchers speculate that a patient's spirituality can help to reduce emotional stress during recovery, and help patients feel that they are not alone, which reduces stress regardless of whether the patient feels they're not alone because of their faith or because of social support.

While the research was conducted in Rome where most residents are Catholic, the results are expected to be similar for other denominations and religions as well.

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