Some guys are bigger than others

A study by Brigham Young University professor has concluded that members of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints weigh on average 4.6 pounds more than their fellow Utahns. The same study found that Mormons were 14 percent more likely to be obese.

The study was made by BYU health science professor Ray Merrill from data obtained in 1996, 2001 and 2003-2004 by the Utah Health Status Survey. It actually marks an improvement on 1996 figures when adult members of the Church were found to be 5.7 pounds heavier and 34 percent more likely to be obese.

It's been suggested that Mormons are eating so much as it's just about the only vice they are allowed, since smoking, drugs, drinking and other forms of fun are strictly prohibited.

Associated Press report that Steve Aldana, a BYU professor who presented some of the study's findings at a recent heart conference at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center said: "For years, the church has focused on the don'ts -— don't smoke, don't drink, and all the other things that you shouldn't do that are heavily enforced... There has been little emphasis on the do's - eat good foods and exercise," he said. "In the church, we have a lot of don'ts, and now finally here's a do -— go ahead and do eat and boy, do we eat."

A spokesman for the church declined to comment, said the church-owned Deseret Morning News.