The best definition of Lifestyle Medicine comes from the preface to Dr. Rippe's academic textbook Lifestyle Medicine (Blackwell Science, 1999). "Lifestyle Medicine involves the integration of lifestyle practices into the modern practice of medicine both to lower the risk factors for chronic disease and/or if disease is already present serves as an adjunct to its therapy. Lifestyle Medicine brings together sound scientific evidence in diverse health related fields to assist the clinician in the process of not only treating disease, but also promoting good health."
Protocols and advice about physical activity, diet and nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation and other modalities related to lifestyle decisions and habits are examples of Lifestyle Medicine.
Lifestyle Medicine is an essential component of the treatment of most chronic diseases and is incorporated along with pharmaceutical intervention in many of the national disease management guidelines. Examples of the inclusion of Lifestyle Medicine principles and modalities in national guidelines include:
- National Cholesterol Education Program, JNC VII Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension
- Institute of Medicine Guidelines for Management of Obesity, Guidelines for the American Heart Association for the Prevention and Management of Coronary Artery Disease
- Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association for the Management of Diabetes
The Lifestyle Medicine Initiative offers evidence based protocols and guidelines to assist physicians in the application of Lifestyle Medicine principles into both prevention and management of many of the common chronic conditions seen in a modern medical practice.