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Amanda McKinney, MD, FACLM

Lifestyle factors including poor nutrition and physical inactivity are critical determinants of health, causing a pandemic of chronic diseases, premature death and unsustainable healthcare costs. Currently, 50 percent of Americans live with one or more chronic illnesses in which diet, exercise and stress play a key role.

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Lifestyle factors including poor nutrition and physical inactivity are critical determinants of health, causing a pandemic of chronic diseases, premature death and unsustainable healthcare costs. Currently, 50 percent of Americans live with one or more chronic illnesses in which diet, exercise and stress play a key role.

Lifestyle Medicine is the science and application of 49 healthy lifestyles as interventions for the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, some neurological conditions and some cancers. It is the evidence-based specialty bridging the science of physical activity, nutrition, stress management and resilience; sleep hygiene and other healthy habits to individuals through clinical practice in healthcare.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Conceptualize how lifestyle behaviors resulted in chronic disease in the us
  • Chronic disease epidemic affects our economic health as a nation.
  • What is lifestyle medicine and its differences from traditional western medicine.
  • Tools to develop a personal, healthy lifestyle
  • Lifestyle factors contribution to leading health killers in the us
  • Health relationships between food production, politics, economics and the environment
  • Commit to improvement in personal health choices

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces learners to emerging ideas and cutting-edge research in Lifestyle Medicine
Provides practical tools and strategies for improving personal health and well-being
Draws connections between lifestyle factors and chronic disease, empowering learners to make informed choices for their health
Taught by Dr. Amanda McKinney, a renowned expert in Lifestyle Medicine

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Reviews summary

Lifestyle medicine course

According to students, lifestyle medicine is an engaging course, especially for those interested in the topic and who may be working towards a degree in a relevant field.
Students found this course enjoyable and beneficial.
"I have been auditing the course and enjoying it."
"I like this course for my career and personal development."
"I very interesting and important in our life in psychology."
Auditing students may be limited.
"I have been auditing the course [...] only able to access up to half of Module 3 - need to pay to access any more."
"This is not the impression given about auditing."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine with these activities:
Review concepts of nutrition science
Establishing a sound understanding of the fundamentals of nutrition science will allow you to build upon these as we progress through the course.
Browse courses on Nutrition
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous courses in nutrition science or dietetics.
  • Read introductory chapters of textbooks on nutrition science.
  • Complete online quizzes or practice questions on basic nutrition concepts.
Review concepts of exercise physiology
Recalling the principles of exercise physiology will help you connect them to lifestyle medicine as we progress through the course.
Browse courses on Exercise Physiology
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous courses in exercise physiology or kinesiology.
  • Read introductory chapters of textbooks on exercise physiology.
  • Complete online quizzes or practice questions on basic exercise physiology concepts.
Gather resources on healthy lifestyle practices
Creating a compilation of resources will help you easily access information on healthy lifestyle practices throughout the course.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable websites, articles, and books on healthy lifestyle practices.
  • Bookmark or save the resources in a central location, such as a digital folder or note-taking app.
  • Organize the resources into categories, such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Practice developing personalized lifestyle plans
Regularly practicing developing personalized lifestyle plans will improve your ability to apply the principles of lifestyle medicine in real-world settings.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific health goal, such as weight loss, improved sleep, or reduced stress.
  • Research and gather information on evidence-based lifestyle interventions related to the goal.
  • Develop a personalized lifestyle plan that includes specific dietary, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene recommendations.
  • Implement the plan for a period of time, monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed.
  • Reflect on the effectiveness of the plan and identify areas for improvement.
Follow online tutorials on healthy cooking
Following online tutorials on healthy cooking will provide you with practical skills to improve your own nutrition and support your journey in lifestyle medicine.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable online cooking platforms or channels.
  • Choose tutorials that align with your dietary preferences and health goals.
  • Follow the instructions carefully and take notes on techniques and recipes.
  • Experiment with different recipes and ingredients to expand your culinary skills.
Develop a blog or vlog on lifestyle medicine
Creating a blog or vlog on lifestyle medicine will allow you to synthesize and share your knowledge on the topic, deepening your understanding.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic within lifestyle medicine that you are passionate about.
  • Research and gather evidence-based information on the topic.
  • Create high-quality content, such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts, that is informative, engaging, and accessible to a lay audience.
  • Promote your content through various channels, such as social media, email marketing, and guest posting.
  • Engage with your audience by responding to comments, questions, and feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Fitness Trainer
Fitness Trainers help people improve their physical fitness. They design and lead exercise programs, and provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle choices. Graduates of the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will aid a Fitness Trainer in understanding how lifestyle choices impact fitness, and strategies to approach lifestyle changes for improved fitness.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialists help patients recovering from cardiac events prevent future issues by encouraging healthy lifestyle choices including beneficial activity. To do this, they must have knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Lifestyle Medicine can help prepare you for your career as a Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist by providing you with a solid understanding of how lifestyle choices affect overall health, and gives a foundation in how to approach lifestyle changes.
Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Diabetes Care and Education Specialists help people manage their diabetes. They teach patients how to self-manage their condition, including creating an individualized plan for exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle changes. Graduates of Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will aid a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in understanding the background of diabetic causes and comorbidities, how to create a plan for diabetic care, and help patients build healthy lifestyle habits.
Health Coach
Health Coaches help people improve their overall health and well-being by providing guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management. The knowledge you gain about lifestyle choices from the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can help you devise plans to enhance your client's lifestyle.
Registered Dietitian
Registered Dietitians diagnose and treat nutrition problems and promote healthy eating habits. With a focus on the science of nutrition and how lifestyle choices can impact health, the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can help build a foundation for your career as a Registered Dietitian.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists provide nutrition counseling and education to individuals and groups. They help people make healthy food choices and develop personalized nutrition plans. The Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can strengthen your understanding of how to approach lifestyle changes and build a foundation in nutrition counseling with a focus on lifestyle choices and their impact on health.
Health Educator
Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote healthy lifestyles. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to provide information about health risks and behaviors. The Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can help build a foundation in understanding how lifestyle choices affect overall health and provide strategies to approach lifestyle changes.
Public Health Educator
Public Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They work with communities to address health issues such as obesity, smoking, and chronic diseases. The Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can help build a foundation in how lifestyle choices affect overall health and how to approach lifestyle changes.
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and their families about health conditions, and administer medications. Graduates of the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will aid a Registered Nurse in understanding the background of patient's lifestyle choices and comorbidities, how to create a plan for patient care, and help patients build healthier lifestyle habits.
Wellness Coordinator
Wellness Coordinators develop and implement wellness programs for organizations and communities. They promote healthy lifestyle choices and provide resources to help people improve their health. Graduates of Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will gain valuable knowledge about the relationship between lifestyle choices and overall health. This can help them develop more effective wellness programs and provide better support to individuals trying to improve their health.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help people regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities. They work with people who have physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Graduates of the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will aid an Occupational Therapist in understanding how lifestyle choices impact rehabilitation and recovery, and how to approach lifestyle changes for improved outcomes.
Physician
Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They also provide preventive care and counseling on healthy lifestyle choices. While the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine won't prepare you for the entirety of a physician's role, it may prove a useful start towards a career in medicine with its foundation in how lifestyle choices affect overall health and how to approach lifestyle changes.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information about their use. They also counsel patients on how to manage their medications and lifestyle choices to improve their health. The Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine can help build a foundation of knowledge about how lifestyle choices impact medication effectiveness.
Counselor
Counselors provide guidance and support to people experiencing mental health issues or life challenges. They help people develop coping mechanisms, improve their relationships, and make positive changes in their lives. The Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine may help build a foundation in how to approach lifestyle changes.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of disease in populations. They use this information to develop and implement public health programs to prevent and control disease. While the Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine won't prepare you for the entirety of an Epidemiologist's role, it may prove a useful start towards a career in epidemiology, with its foundation in how lifestyle choices affect overall health.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the science and practice of Lifestyle Medicine. It covers the key concepts, evidence, and tools necessary to effectively incorporate Lifestyle Medicine into clinical practice.
Explores the lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity and health in the world's Blue Zones, where people live longer and healthier lives than anywhere else on Earth.
Provides insights into the science of habit formation and how we can use this knowledge to create healthy habits and break unhealthy ones.
Teaches cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. These techniques can be helpful for improving mental health and well-being.
Provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence linking nutrition to chronic diseases. It argues that a plant-based diet is the healthiest way to prevent and treat these diseases.
Explores the relationship between food, health, and the environment. It argues that the current food system is unsustainable and that we need to make changes to our diets in order to protect our health and the planet.
Provides a critique of the modern food system and offers advice on how to eat healthily. It argues that we should eat more whole, unprocessed foods and avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
Explores the origins of our food and the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices. It provides a fascinating look at the food system and raises important questions about the way we eat.
Investigates the fast food industry and its impact on our health and society. It reveals the hidden costs of fast food and argues that we need to make changes to our diets and our food system.
Challenges the conventional wisdom about fat and cholesterol. It argues that saturated fat is not as harmful as we once thought and that we should eat more of it.
Argues that wheat major contributor to obesity and other health problems. It recommends avoiding wheat and eating a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods.
Advocates for a diet based on the foods that our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era. It argues that this diet is the healthiest way to eat and can help prevent chronic diseases.
Promotes a diet based on high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. It argues that this diet can help people lose weight, improve their energy levels, and reduce cravings.

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