Does going to church make you fat?

This is odd, coming from Time:

Why Going to Church Can Make You Fat

Maybe it’s all the church socials, but a new study finds that those who attend religious activities are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t go to church as often.
Religious involvement is linked to many positive health outcomes, such as happiness, lower rates of smoking and alcohol use, and even a longer life. But research has also suggested that middle-aged adults who are more religious are more likely to be obese. Past data have noted only a correlation between religiosity and weight gain, however; they did not show whether participating in religious activities leads to weight gain, or whether overweight individuals are more likely to seek support in their faith.

I say this is strange because there’s a more obvious correlation: both religious attendance and obesity are tied to poverty.

The link between poverty and obesity is fairly well-known. Unhealthy food is cheaper.

Also well-known is the correlation between poverty and religiosity. (Even the Book of Mormon complains about it.) People in poorer areas rely more on social networks and promises of a better world.

Education level may be driving this as well. Low education is tied to poverty, and there is a connection between education level and religiosity.

The correlation between poverty and religiosity is interesting to me for another reason. The fact that wealthy people are less likely to be religious tells me that religion is what economists call an ‘inferior good‘. Like the no-name brands in the supermarket, religion gets less demand when times are good. People pass it over and go for what’s better if they have a choice.