Lifestyle as Medicine

In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are considered overweight or obese, taking a real toll on our nation’s health. As weight increases, so does risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer—nearly 40% of Americans have at least one chronic medical condition. As disease rates increased, you guessed it, healthcare costs rise too. Obesity-related diseases rack up anywhere from $147 billion to nearly $210 billion every year. 

Perhaps the most startling news of all: About 80% of chronic disease could be preventable through healthy lifestyle choices. It might really be that simple. 

Lifestyle medicine involves, well, living a healthy life: eating a predominately whole food, plant-based diet; exercising regularly; managing stress; not smoking; getting enough sleep; and having good relationships with family and friends. Through healthy lifestyle choices, it may be possible to reverse most of the lifestyle-related chronic diseases that plague our nation’s health. 

The Dole Nutrition Institute is joining forces with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), along with 15 other wellness-focused companies, to help promote the practice of lifestyle as medicine. As ACLM President David Katz, MD, MPH puts it, “Lifestyle as medicine has the potential to prevent up to 80% of chronic disease; no other medicine can match that. In addition, it is potentially inexpensive and even cost-saving; free of all but good side effects; safe and appropriate for children and octogenarians alike. It is, quite simply, the best medicine we've got.” 

The Dole Nutrition News is one of your top allies for living a healthy life—DNI has been preaching lifestyle as medicine since our founding in 2003. Help spread the word and encourage others to adopt a healthier lifestyle by sharing our newsletter with your friends and family. Subscribe here today and stay tuned for more exciting health and nutrition news.

Published December 1, 2016