Promoting health behaviours in medical education.

BACKGROUND

In light of the global trends of increasing obesity, the education of doctors and other health professionals warrants greater attention to promoting effective weight management through health behaviours related to eating and exercise.

CONTEXT

Gaps in training in these areas have been identified related to weight management and wellness. Diverse benefits of healthy lifestyle interventions have been noted.

INNOVATION

Recommendation for developing immersion programmes for medical students and other health professionals involving practical experience in weight management through lifestyle modification, addressing nutritional and caloric intake and energy expenditure through exercise.

IMPLICATIONS

Integrating healthy lifestyle programmes into medical and health professional education could yield several benefits. Enhancing curriculum and educational processes by promoting medical and health professional students' awareness of, participation and immersion in, healthy lifestyle interventions may ultimately lead to better health outcomes for health professionals and their patients.