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Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 2 ratings
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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.

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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

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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

Foundational course in lifestyle medicine basics

According to learners, this course provides a positive and accessible introduction to the core principles of lifestyle medicine. Many found the content well-structured and the topics highly relevant to personal health and clinical practice. Students particularly appreciated the practical strategies offered and the comprehensive overview of key lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, and stress management. While generally praised for its foundational nature, some noted that the course serves primarily as an overview and may require additional, more in-depth study for those seeking advanced knowledge or clinical application expertise.
Logical flow and organization of topics.
"The modules were well-organized and flowed logically from one topic to the next."
"I liked how the course was structured around the different pillars of lifestyle medicine."
"Easy to navigate and the content was presented in a clear structure."
Encourages positive health behavior changes.
"The course content was really motivating and inspired me to make changes in my own life."
"It reinforced my belief in the power of lifestyle for health."
"Highly inspiring and empowering course!"
"This made me look at my habits differently and want to improve."
Content is applicable to health and life.
"I learned practical strategies that I can actually use in my daily life and recommend."
"The information felt highly relevant to current health challenges and my own well-being."
"This course wasn't just theoretical; it offered actionable insights."
"It helped me understand how to make better choices for my health."
Provides a clear and accessible overview.
"This course gave me a really solid introduction to lifestyle medicine and its importance."
"I appreciated the clear explanations of the core concepts; it's great for beginners."
"A fantastic overview covering all the essential pillars of lifestyle medicine."
"Found it easy to follow and understand the foundational principles discussed."
May need additional resources for depth.
"To truly grasp the clinical application, I needed to consult outside resources."
"Felt like it pointed you in the right direction but didn't provide all the answers."
"Good as a primer, but be prepared to do your own research for more detailed understanding."
Covers broad topics, lacks specialization.
"While a great intro, I felt it could have gone deeper into some of the topics."
"Good overview, but for professionals, it might be too basic in certain areas."
"It covers a lot of ground but doesn't delve deeply into any single area."
"Consider this a starting point; you'll need other resources for more detail."

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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fitness Trainer
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Coach
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for 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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Educator
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Nurse
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Wellness Coordinator
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Physician
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

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.
Cover image
Integrating Lifestyle Medicine in Cardiovascular...
Save
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.
Integrating Lifestyle Medicine in Cardiovascular...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
The Complete Blue Zones
Save
Explores the lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity and health in the world's Blue Zones, where people live longer and healthier lives than anywhere else on Earth.
The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer: Lessons...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Supercommunicators
Save
Provides insights into the science of habit formation and how we can use this knowledge to create healthy habits and break unhealthy ones.
Supercommunicators
Paperback
Check
Supercommunicators
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Mind Over Mood, Second Edition
Save
Teaches cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. These techniques can be helpful for improving mental health and well-being.
Mind Over Mood, Second Edition: Change How You Feel...
Spiral-bound
$$
(中文) Mind Over Mood, Second Edition: Change How You Feel...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Future of Nutrition
Save
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.
The Future of Nutrition: An Insider's Look at the...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Food Revolution
Save
Explores the relationship between food, health, and the environment. It argues that the current food system is unsustainable and that we need to make changes to our diets in order to protect our health and the planet.
The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Save Your...
Paperback
$$
Voices of the Food Revolution: You Can Heal Your...
Paperback
$$
The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save...
Audible Audiobook
$$
No Happy Cows: Dispatches from the Frontlines of...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
In Defense of Food
Save
Provides a critique of the modern food system and offers advice on how to eat healthily. It argues that we should eat more whole, unprocessed foods and avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
In Defense of Food
Paperback
Check
In Defense of Food
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and...
Save
Explores the origins of our food and the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices. It provides a fascinating look at the food system and raises important questions about the way we eat.
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and...
Hardcover
$$$
Energy Systems Engineering: Evaluation and...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Top 40 Democracy
Save
Investigates the fast food industry and its impact on our health and society. It reveals the hidden costs of fast food and argues that we need to make changes to our diets and our food system.
Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Big Fat Surprise
Save
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.
The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese...
Paperback
$$
Fat Chance, The Great Cholesterol Con, The Big Fat...
Paperback
$$$
The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Great Cholesterol Myth, Revised and Expanded
Save
Argues that the focus on lowering cholesterol is misguided and that we should focus on other factors, such as inflammation, to prevent heart disease.
The Great Cholesterol Myth, Revised and Expanded:...
Paperback
$$
The Great Cholesterol Myth, Revised and Expanded:...
Audio CD
$$
The Great Cholesterol Myth, Revised and Expanded:...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Super Gut
Save
Argues that wheat major contributor to obesity and other health problems. It recommends avoiding wheat and eating a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods.
Super Gut
Paperback
$$
Super Gut: A Four-Week Plan to Reprogram Your...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Sacred Cow
Save
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.
Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat: Why Well...
Paperback
$$
Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat [Hardcover],...
Paperback
$$$
Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat: Why Well...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Head Strong
Save
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.
Head Strong: The Bulletproof Plan to Activate...
Hardcover
$
Head Strong: The Bulletproof Plan to Activate...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
5 to 10 hours per week for 8 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Doane University
Instructor
Amanda McKinney, MD, FACLM
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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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