Foundations of Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine.

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle medicine utilizes therapeutic interventions to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic diseases by promoting healthy habits. While extensively studied in adults, its application in pediatrics remains underexplored. Given that many chronic diseases originate in early life, establishing the foundations of Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine is essential. Methods: This paper presents a comprehensive literature review and clinical insights to assess the evidence supporting Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine and provide age-appropriate, evidence-based guidelines for children and adolescents. Results: Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based healthcare discipline focused on promoting and maintaining children's health by encouraging healthy habits from an early age. This approach prevents chronic diseases, supports physical and emotional well-being, and fosters long-term quality of life. Findings show that applying its principles in childhood can prevent obesity, improve mental health, and aid in disease management, while also reducing the risk of adult-onset conditions and benefiting planetary health. Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine is based on six pillars: preventive nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and risk prevention, the last of which includes toxin avoidance and other childhood-specific risks, such as accident prevention and screen overuse. Conclusions: Pediatric Lifestyle Medicine provides a cost-effective, evidence-based framework for improving childhood health and preventing chronic conditions. Integrating these principles into pediatric care can foster lifelong health benefits, emphasizing the need for further research and implementation in medical education.