You'll Be Surprised What Trumps New Year's Health Goals for Many Americans

News Staff : Dec 31, 2015
CBN News

It has nothing to do with the body and yet, perhaps, everything.

[CBN News] When it comes to New Year's resolutions, Americans say they want to improve spiritually almost as much as they want to get fit. (Photo via CBN News)

A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research shows that 57 percent of Americans make health-related New Year's resolutions while 52 percent say they address their relationship with God.

However for many groups, faith outranks health. They include African-Americans, Hispanics, Christians, and older Americans.

African-Americans and evangelicals are the most likely to make resolutions about their relationship with God. Close to three-quarters say they do.

"We don't hear a lot of talk about it but a relationship with God is still something people want," Scott McConnell, vice president of Lifeway Research said.

After health and faith, other top issues for resolutions include use of time (43 percent), family relationships (42 percent), finances (37 percent), and work (33 percent).

Lifeway also found that not everyone makes resolutions. More than 1 in 5 say they don't.

Men also appear to make resolutions less than women. A quarter of respondents report they don't set goals for the New Year, compared to 17 percent of women.