Researchers studied how much money and time churches need to run a health program called Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) that helps people eat better and exercise more. They looked at 90 churches across the country from 2020 to 2023 to understand the real costs involved. The good news? Running this program is affordable for most churches, costing between $327 and $2,858 per year depending on how they pay their staff. The study found that churches spending more time and resources on the program saw better results in helping people eat healthier foods.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How much time and money does it take for churches to run a health and fitness program, and does spending more money actually help people get healthier?
- Who participated: 90 churches from across the United States that participated in a national study between 2020 and 2023. The churches varied in size and location, and some already had health programs while others didn’t.
- Key finding: Churches spent an average of 67 hours per year (about 1.3 hours per week) running the program, costing between $327 and $2,858 annually depending on whether they used volunteers or paid staff. Churches that invested more time and resources saw better results in helping people eat healthier, though the effect on exercise was less clear.
- What it means for you: If your church is thinking about starting a health program, it appears to be affordable and doable. The investment seems worthwhile, especially if your goal is helping people improve their eating habits. However, this is just one study, so talk with your church leaders about whether it fits your community’s needs and resources.
The Research Details
Researchers used a detailed cost-tracking method called “micro-costing” to understand exactly where money and time go in running this health program. They looked at costs in two ways: first, they tracked how much time and money the central organization spent hosting and supporting the program online (about 4 hours per week). Second, they surveyed 90 churches to find out how much time their staff and volunteers spent on training, planning, and running the program.
Because churches often use volunteers instead of paid staff, the researchers calculated costs three different ways. In one scenario, they assumed volunteers donate their time for free (zero cost). In another, they valued volunteer time at minimum wage, since those volunteers could be earning money doing something else. In the third scenario, they calculated what it would cost if churches paid employees to run the program. This approach gives a realistic picture of the true cost to society.
The researchers also looked at whether costs differed based on church size, location, and whether the church already had a health ministry. Finally, they examined whether churches that spent more money and time actually saw better health results in their members.
Understanding the real cost of health programs is crucial for deciding whether they can be expanded to more communities. Many good health programs fail to spread because nobody knows if they’re affordable or practical to run. This study provides a clear roadmap for other organizations thinking about starting similar programs. It also shows that costs are an important part of measuring whether a program actually works.
This study has several strengths: it tracked actual time and costs from real churches rather than just guessing, it included 90 churches across the country (not just one region), and it considered different ways churches might pay for the program. However, the study only looked at churches that already agreed to participate, so we don’t know if churches that chose not to participate might have different costs. The study also only lasted a few years, so we don’t know if costs might change over time as churches get better at running the program.
What the Results Show
The central organization that supported all the churches spent about 4 hours per week managing the program, which added up to roughly $7,844 per year. This covered things like training church leaders, managing the website, and recruiting new churches.
Individual churches spent varying amounts of time: an average of 15 hours per year training people, 23 hours per year planning activities, and 28 hours per year actually running the program. That’s a total of about 67 hours per year, or roughly 1.3 hours per week.
When researchers calculated the cost to churches, the numbers depended on how they valued the time. If volunteers donated their time for free, the cost was only $327 per year on average. If they valued volunteer time at minimum wage (since those volunteers could be earning money elsewhere), the cost jumped to about $2,858 per year. Most churches fell somewhere in between these numbers.
The most important finding was that churches spending more time and money on the program saw better results in helping people eat healthier foods. However, the connection between spending and exercise improvements was weaker and not statistically significant.
The study found that costs varied depending on church characteristics. Larger churches and churches that already had health ministries might have different cost patterns, though the paper doesn’t provide detailed breakdowns. The variation in hours spent (ranging from very low to very high) suggests that some churches found the program easier to run than others, possibly depending on their existing resources and staff.
This study fills an important gap in research. While many studies show that health programs work, very few examine the actual costs involved. This makes it hard for communities to decide whether they can afford to run these programs. By providing detailed cost information, this research helps other churches and organizations make informed decisions about whether to adopt the program.
The study only included churches that volunteered to participate, which might mean they were more motivated or better-resourced than average churches. The study period was relatively short (2020-2023), so we don’t know if costs would change as churches became more experienced. The study also couldn’t determine whether the improvements in eating habits were actually caused by the program or just happened to occur at the same time. Additionally, the study measured the relationship between costs and outcomes, but this doesn’t prove that spending more money causes better results—it’s possible that well-organized churches both spend more and achieve better outcomes for other reasons.
The Bottom Line
If your church is considering this program, the evidence suggests it’s affordable and may help your community eat healthier. Budget between $300 and $3,000 per year depending on your staffing situation. Expect to invest about 1-2 hours per week of staff or volunteer time. This recommendation has moderate confidence because it’s based on one study of churches that chose to participate. (Confidence level: Moderate)
Church leaders and community health coordinators should care about this research. It’s particularly relevant for churches interested in health and wellness programs, community health departments looking to expand programs, and organizations that support multiple churches. This research is less relevant for individuals looking for personal health advice—it’s more about organizational planning.
Based on this study, you should expect to see improvements in eating habits within the timeframe of the program (likely several months to a year). However, this study doesn’t specify exactly how long it takes to see results. Realistic expectations would be gradual improvements rather than dramatic overnight changes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If your church uses a health app, track weekly hours spent on health program activities (training, planning, implementation) and monitor the percentage of participants who report eating more fruits and vegetables. This creates a simple feedback loop showing whether your time investment is paying off.
- Use the app to set a weekly reminder for 1-2 hours of program coordination time. Create a simple checklist of activities (training sessions, planning meetings, activity implementation) and check them off weekly. Share progress with church leadership to maintain accountability.
- Track costs monthly and health outcomes quarterly. Create a simple spreadsheet showing hours invested versus health improvements observed in your congregation. This helps your church understand whether the program is working and whether adjustments are needed.
This research describes costs and outcomes for one specific church-based health program. Results may not apply to all churches or health programs. Before starting any health program, consult with your church leadership, local health department, and healthcare providers. This study shows a relationship between program costs and eating habit improvements, but does not prove that spending more money causes better health outcomes. Individual results will vary based on community needs, resources, and participation levels. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals before making significant changes to diet or exercise routines.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.