{"title":"Lifestyle Medicine and Behavioral Health: Synergies, Opportunities and Challenges.","authors":"James M Rippe","doi":"10.1177/15598276251382106","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251382106","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251382106"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12476372/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lifestyle Medicine and Behavioral Health: A Time for Deeper Integration.","authors":"Steven Mauro, MaryEllen Eller, Ron Stout","doi":"10.1177/15598276251381252","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251381252","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental health in the United States faces a mounting crisis, with rising prevalence, inadequate outcomes from pharmacologic treatments, and compounding social and environmental stressors. Traditional care models often neglect the biopsychosocial factors that shape psychological well-being, underscoring the need for a deeper integration of lifestyle medicine and behavioral health. Lifestyle interventions including nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, stress resilience, social connection, and reduction of harmful substance use are biologically active treatments that influence neuroplasticity, inflammation, circadian rhythms, and emotional regulation. Framing these as first-line, rather than adjunctive, interventions repositions them at the center of mental healthcare. Behavioral health professionals are uniquely positioned to facilitate this shift through therapeutic alliance, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, and interprofessional collaboration. Clinical integration requires systematic assessment of lifestyle domains, incorporation into psychotherapeutic modalities, and deployment within community and digital platforms to enhance access and adherence. Emerging fields such as lifestyle psychiatry, positive psychology, and community-based health models highlight the promise of synergistic care that addresses meaning, purpose, and connectedness. By embedding lifestyle medicine into behavioral health practice, clinicians can foster resilience, reduce disease burden, and expand the scope of preventive and therapeutic strategies, advancing whole-person care for individuals and communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251381252"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12460265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145187011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María F Chávez-Díaz, Briseidy Ortiz-Rodríguez, Lidia G De León, Ramón Candia-Luján, Claudia E Carrasco-Legleu
{"title":"Physical Exercise on Aerobic Capacity in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"María F Chávez-Díaz, Briseidy Ortiz-Rodríguez, Lidia G De León, Ramón Candia-Luján, Claudia E Carrasco-Legleu","doi":"10.1177/15598276251372517","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251372517","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Most patients present insulin resistance (IR) and impaired VO<sub>2</sub>max associated with cardiovascular mortality. While exercise is recommended as the first-line treatment, there is a lack of certainty of the exercise intensity effect on improvement of pathogenic factors. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of MICT on VO<sub>2</sub>max and HOMA-IR compared to other exercise intensities in women with PCOS. Search was performed on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science during February 2025. Eligible studies included RTCs, women with PCOS diagnosis, moderate-intensity training and/or other intensities intervention lasting ≥8 weeks, and VO<sub>2</sub>max measured by direct method. Meta-analyses included 10 studies involving 289 participants. MICT improved cardiorespiratory capacity as follows: 4.65 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 3.07-6.23 <i>P</i> < 0.001, I<sup>2</sup> = 84% n = 9; and HIIT: 3.55 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 1.84-5.26, <i>P</i> < 0.001, I<sup>2</sup> = 0% n = 4. No effect was seen on HOMA-IR with MICT: 0.06, 95% CI: -0.67-0.78 <i>P</i> < 0.88, I<sup>2</sup> = 0% n = 3; or HIIT: -0.20, 95% CI: -0.70-0.31, <i>P</i> < 0.44, I<sup>2</sup> = 0% n = 3. In conclusion, MICT appears to promote greater changes of VO<sub>2</sub>max than HIIT and none of those exercises had a significant impact on IR.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251372517"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12450907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145132121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Training for Transformation: The Importance of Master's Programs in Lifestyle Medicine.","authors":"Kenny Kusnadi, Jessica A Matthews, Beth Frates","doi":"10.1177/15598276251379303","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251379303","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251379303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449304/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fan-Yun Lan, Welere G Barbosa, Daniel R F Saint Martin, Edgard de Melo Keene von Koenig Soares, Costas A Christophi, Stefanos N Kales, Guilherme E Molina, Luiz Guilherme Grossi Porto
{"title":"Factors Associated With Physical Activity Levels Among Brazilian Military Law Enforcement Officers.","authors":"Fan-Yun Lan, Welere G Barbosa, Daniel R F Saint Martin, Edgard de Melo Keene von Koenig Soares, Costas A Christophi, Stefanos N Kales, Guilherme E Molina, Luiz Guilherme Grossi Porto","doi":"10.1177/15598276251379843","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251379843","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> There is limited understanding of the factors associated with law enforcement officers' (LEOs') physical activity levels (PALs) in Latin America. This study aims to address this gap in knowledge. <b>Methods:</b> We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey among military LEOs from a northern Brazilian state. An anonymous questionnaire, which assessed participants' PAL using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaires and quality of life (QoL) using the WHOQOL-BREF, was distributed to LEOs. We examined factors associated with PAL with the use of multiple linear regression models. <b>Results:</b> There were a total of 418 participants (38.6± 6.6 years old, 88.3% male). After adjusting for age, sex, role, rank, education, and QoL domains, each unit increase in body mass index (BMI) and the environmental QoL domain were associated with a mean decrease of 56.2 MET-min/week and an increase of 12.8 MET-min/week in PAL, respectively (both <i>P</i> < 0.05). Additionally, those with a college education or higher had a mean PAL increase of 381.1 MET-min/week compared to their counterparts (<i>P</i> = 0.005). <b>Conclusions</b>: Lower BMI, higher education, and improved environmental QoL are associated with increased PAL among Brazilian military LEOs. Our findings are consistent with existing literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251379843"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Legumes: Your Ally in Cardiovascular Wellness.","authors":"Amy Hanus","doi":"10.1177/15598276251379302","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251379302","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251379302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12443726/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"College Student Perceptions of a Pilot Cooking and Nutrition Education Workshop Through the Lens of the Social Cognitive Theory: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Emma Watras, Amelia Sullivan, Emalee Harrington, Mona Therrien-Genest, Kathryn Yerxa, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Jade McNamara","doi":"10.1177/15598276251377716","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251377716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study qualitatively examined college students' perceptions of a pilot cooking and nutrition workshop, College Cooking Connection (CCC), through the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) framework. Undergraduate students who attended at least one CCC workshop (N = 29) were invited to a 30 min virtual focus group. A trained moderator guided the discussion to gather perceptions of the program. Themes were identified using thematic analysis with a directive and deductive approach based on SCT. Focus groups revealed eight major themes across the SCT. Cognitive themes included: (1) improved nutrition literacy, (2) understanding the nutrition-mental health connection, and (3) increased awareness of campus resources. Behavioral themes included: (4) improved life skills such as kitchen safety, budgeting, and grocery shopping, (5) enhanced cooking self-efficacy through hands-on learning, and (6) recognition of behavioral barriers to nutrition. Environmental themes included: (7) enjoyment of social interaction and community connection, and (8) acknowledgment of environmental barriers to nutrition. Findings highlight the value of cooking and nutrition education programs like CCC in enhancing cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence health in college students. Health programming on campuses can equip students with the knowledge and skills to sustain healthy habits long-term.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251377716"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12432003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145066158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Enid A Keseko, Gabrielle M Turner-McGrievy, John A Bernhart, Alexis Bell, Shiba Bailey, Ye S Kim, Nkechi Okpara, Sara Wilcox, Edward A Frongillo
{"title":"Connections Between Diet and Mental Health: Comparing Participants Randomized to Vegan and Omnivorous Diets in the Nutritious Eating With Soul (NEW Soul) Study.","authors":"Enid A Keseko, Gabrielle M Turner-McGrievy, John A Bernhart, Alexis Bell, Shiba Bailey, Ye S Kim, Nkechi Okpara, Sara Wilcox, Edward A Frongillo","doi":"10.1177/15598276251377720","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251377720","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on vegan diets and mental health shows mixed results but most of the studies have been cross-sectional and among white populations. This study examined changes in perceived stress and mental wellbeing among African American adults aged 18-65 years (N = 159) with overweight/obesity, who were randomized to vegan or omnivorous diets in a 2-year nutrition intervention. Changes in outcomes were assessed using intent-to-treat analysis with mixed model repeated measures. Both groups experienced decreased stress from baseline, seen at 6, 12, and 24 months for the omnivorous group and at 12 and 24 months for the vegan group. The omnivorous group showed improved mental wellbeing at 24 months. There were no differences in changes between the groups at any timepoint (P > 0.05) for stress and mental wellbeing. There were no differences between adherent vegan vs adherent omnivorous participants in changes in either outcome at any timepoint (P > 0.05). Prior research suggests increased stress and reduced mental wellbeing or reduced stress and increased mental wellbeing among individuals following a vegan diet, but this study found no difference in changes in stress and mental wellbeing between participants randomized to vegan or omnivorous diets.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251377720"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12420652/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Promoting Resilience Among Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ Individuals.","authors":"Kiona Coleman","doi":"10.1177/15598276251378000","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251378000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Resilience-the ability to adapt and recover from chronic stress-is a critical determinant of health, particularly among marginalized populations. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionate levels of psychological distress due to systemic discrimination, trauma, and social exclusion.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore how lifestyle medicine, when applied through an equity lens, can serve as a powerful tool to promote resilience and mitigate psychological distress in underserved communities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This narrative review applies the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances, to the lived experiences of marginalized populations. It integrates public health literature, minority stress theory, and insights from culturally responsive clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Structural inequities create barriers to wellness for marginalized individuals, including limited access to healthy foods, safe environments for movement, and affirming care. When adapted with cultural humility, lifestyle medicine interventions can improve emotional well-being, foster identity-affirming behaviors, and strengthen resilience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Equity-centered lifestyle medicine provides a promising, accessible framework to help marginalized populations build resilience and reclaim well-being, offering a preventive strategy to reduce long-term psychological distress.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251378000"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12420635/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Erectile Dysfunction Reversed After Adoption of a Whole Food Plant-Based Diet: A Case Report.","authors":"Kathleen Allen, Yoav Jacob, Wai Thein, Caldwell Esselstyn, Robert J Ostfeld","doi":"10.1177/15598276251367671","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15598276251367671","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the \"canary in the coal mine\" for coronary artery disease (CAD), typically presenting 3-5 years before CAD. Accordingly, vascular ED and CAD share similar risk factors. <b>Case Summary:</b> A 52-year-old male reported erectile dysfunction in 2019. In 2021, after coronary stent placement for stable CAD, he adopted a whole-food plant-based diet (WFPB) diet to improve his CAD risk. Within months, his erectile function began improving, and he experienced further improvement with increasing vegetable intake. By February 2024, he reported normal erectile function. <b>Discussion:</b> While prior literature describes modest improvement in erectile dysfunction with a Mediterranean diet, this case describes complete reversal of ED with a WFPB diet. By improving cardiovascular risk factors, a WFPB may ameliorate vascular function and vascular ED. <b>Take Home Message:</b> Erectile dysfunction secondary to atherosclerosis may be reversed with a whole food plant-based diet.</p>","PeriodicalId":47480,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15598276251367671"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12417455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}