American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine最新文献

Group-based lifestyle medicine programs present a promising path to preventing and managing chronic diseases and supporting patient wellbeing. Establishing effective implementation strategies can enhance the scalability of comprehensive lifestyle medicine programs in practice. This convergent mixed methods study aimed to investigate the role of the program deliverer in the feasibility and effectiveness of a group-based program: PAVING the Path to Wellness. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were used to explore differences in perceived feasibility between physician and non-physician practitioners (e.g., allied health professionals) trained to deliver the program. Mixed linear models assessed differences in program effectiveness by type of healthcare practitioner (physician and non-physician practitioner) using the Lifestyle Medicine Health Behavior scale as a pre-/post-measure of self-reported health behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, social connection, stress, and avoidance of risky substances). Qualitative results supported that the PAVING program was feasible to implement, but that overall feasibility was greatly influenced by billing capabilities and practitioner experience. Quantitative results revealed that the program's impact differed significantly based on the type of healthcare practitioner; participants in non-physician-led groups saw more improvement in health behaviors following the program. Data integration revealed that training and experience in lifestyle medicine and administrative infrastructure (e.g., billing, recruitment) are crucial to program effectiveness. This study has important implications for practice, including the need to scale practice-based training, promote policies for reimbursing preventive care, and build the administrative infrastructure required to support lifestyle medicine group visits.

Lifestyle medicine (LM) competencies are necessary to outline the knowledge and skills required to become certified and practice evidence-based LM across various medical and health care professional disciplines. The earliest LM competencies were published for physicians in 2010 with an expansion of competencies in 2015 to include additional competencies relevant to physicians as well as a variety of other health care professionals, followed by a 2022 LM Competency update. As the global LM priorities evolved, the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance (LMGA) commissioned a review of the current competencies by the LMGA Scientific Advisory Committee. This resulted in two minor updates to the already existing planetary health and food processing competencies and the addition of a new competency to address social determinants of health (SDOH). This brought the total number of competencies from 88 in 2022 to 89 in 2025. As the field of LM continues to grow and organize globally, the need to create a structure for LM competency updates became evident. This article summarizes the competency updates and outlines the implementation schedule for future competency updates.

Bone loss is a significant public health burden, with low bone mass affecting nearly all post-menopausal women. The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) reports that over 10 million Americans have osteoporosis with 40-50 million at risk due to low bone mass. Bone deterioration culminates in fractures, shortened stature, disability, and premature morbidity and mortality. Low bone mass is under-diagnosed, despite the availability of preventive screening. Maximal bone mass acquisition is optimized during early adulthood in females after which bone remodeling can no longer replace old bone. Reducing women's bone loss burden requires recommendations that improve overall health, maximize optimal bone mass during adulthood and minimize loss of bone following menopause. Total body composition, measurable by DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry), and maximum aerobic capacity (MAC) can reduce premature morbidity. Prevention strategies involve regular DXA screening beginning in adolescence to monitor whole body composition accompanied by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) assessment. DXA scans are now the gold standard for quantifying body composition metrics. Counseling by the Lifestyle Medicine provider should accompany and explain these evaluations. Whole-body DXA monitoring as well as fitness assessment throughout life, can provide women with improved awareness of health metrics and improve overall quality of life outcomes.

Lifestyle Medicine (LM) offers promise for managing chronic diseases, yet its implementation in healthcare remains limited. Successful implementation requires understanding healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions, given their roles in advising patients and referring to lifestyle interventions. This study explores how HCPs at a Dutch academic hospital perceive LM. We conducted an anonymous online survey of physicians, nurses, and other HCPs in adult specialized care. We assessed perceptions of LM, how these varied across professional roles, and barriers and facilitators to implementation. We thematically analyzed free-text responses to identify factors influencing perceptions of lifestyle medicine. Of 303 participants, 14% were familiar with LM and 19% reported never discussing lifestyle with patients. However, 92% supported prioritizing lifestyle changes in healthcare and 69% prioritized implementing lifestyle programs in their hospital. 71% felt confident initiating lifestyle conversations, and 45% in promoting behavior change. Main barriers to discussing lifestyle included limited time (43%) and unclear referral pathways (38%). Thematic analysis generally revealed a positive perception of LM, but some questioned its suitability in specialized care. Most HCPs support LM, but LM's role in specialized care requires clearer analysis and articulation. Greater awareness, practical support, and training seem key for successful implementation.

Muscle-strengthening exercises (MSE) improve muscular strength, balance, endurance, mental health, and decrease the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Studies show that immigrant Black women do not adhere to MSE guidelines. The purpose of the study is to determine the associations between demographic, socioeconomic, and community-level characteristics in African-born Black immigrant women meeting guidelines and to describe their perceptions and attitudes towards MSE. Data were collected using an online cross-sectional survey from 220 African-born Black immigrant women. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and anthropometrics. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. NVivo was used to analyze the qualitative data. About 47.3% met the MSE guidelines. Age, perception of weight, PA with a member of household, PA with someone outside of household, and the built environment were associated with MSE engagement. Former and current drinkers, those living with a chronic disease and those who used their built environment less were more likely to meet guidelines. Notions of health and fitness, ideal body image perceptions, knowledge gaps, time constraints, and perceived difficulty of MSE were cited as reasons for not meeting guidelines. African-born Black immigrant women care about health and interventions can capitalize on this to promote increased participation.

We developed a comprehensive Diet and Lifestyle Quality Index (DLQI) and examined its associations with health status and sociodemographic characteristics in Argentinian adults. The DLQI scores range from 0 to 100 points and comprises 49 indicators across 7 dimensions: diet and eating habits, physical activity, rest and sleeping habits, exposure to sunlight and nature, religiosity, abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, and emotional well-being and relationships. Cross-sectional data from 4215 adults were analyzed to explore links with sociodemographic characteristics and chronic disease prevalence. Participants' mean age was 35.5±14.6 years and 69% were women. The mean DLQI score was 51.5±10.6. Higher scores were associated with older age, being married, lower financial concern, rural residence, and receipt of social welfare. Elevated DLQI and dimension-specific scores were inversely related to self-reported obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, hypertension, kidney disease, and cancer, while lower scores were positively associated with overweight and obesity. Score distribution and odds ratios supported cut-off points for classifying lifestyle quality. Our evaluation indicates the DLQI is a practical tool for assessing diverse diet and lifestyle factors, with scores reflecting health status in line with existing evidence. Further evaluation in other populations is recommended to confirm its clinical and public health applicability.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can present with extra-esophageal symptoms such as asthma-like dyspnea and hoarseness. The present case is a 42-year-old male who developed post-infectious GERD with hoarseness and upper back pain. Laryngoscopy showed laryngeal inflammation and esophageal biopsy confirmed eosinophilic infiltration. Pharmacologic therapy provided partial relief; however, dysphonia persisted. Lifestyle modifications led to significant symptom improvement. This case highlights the interplay between GERD and airway symptoms and the role of lifestyle intervention in management.

Introduction: High school athletes face unique challenges, including balancing academic and athletic demands, addressing mental health concerns, maintaining adequate nutrition and sleep, and mitigating risks such as substance use and maladaptive behaviors. Female athletes frequently encounter additional issues, including amenorrhea and irregular menses. Lifestyle Medicine, encompassing nutrition, sleep, stress management, physical activity, avoidance of risky substances, and social connection, offers a promising framework for addressing these challenges through targeted, evidence-based interventions.

Methods: A review of peer-reviewed studies from the last 15 years was conducted using databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Studies focused on athletes aged 14-18 were included, with 1423 studies screened and 31 meeting inclusion criteria. Studies on nonathlete populations and adults were excluded.

Results: Of the 31 included studies, 6 addressed nutrition, 3 physical activity, 5 sleep, 5 stress management, 7 avoidance of risky substances, and 5 social connection. Notably, 52.1% of female athletes were found to be at risk for low energy availability (LEA), and over 79% of athletes reported sleeping fewer than 8 h per night, below the recommended range of 8-10 h for adolescents. Stress management emerged as a critical gap, with 91% of athletes reporting sport-related stress, yet only 27% received professional support. High-contact sports were associated with increased risks of substance misuse, including lifetime opioid use rates as high as 46% in some cohorts.

Conclusion: This review underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions such as nutrition education programs, sleep hygiene initiatives, and mindfulness-based stress management tailored to high school athletes. Addressing these gaps within the framework of Lifestyle Medicine can enhance both performance and long-term well-being. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions and explore their clinical and developmental implications.

Lifestyle medicine interventions are well established for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are increasingly applied to people with cancer, who face elevated cardiovascular risk from both the disease and its treatments. Cardio-oncology, an emerging subspecialty, focuses on prevention, management, and treatment of CVD in patients with cancer and survivors. Incorporating lifestyle medicine principles-such as physical activity, healthy diet, stress management, and social connections-can help mitigate CVD risk in this population. This article reviews the impact of cancer and its therapies on cardiovascular health, current guideline recommendations, and the importance of an interprofessional, holistic approach to individualized care.