Lifestyle Medicine, Fourth Edition

Book excerpt: The fourth edition of Dr. James Rippe’s classic Lifestyle Medicine textbook continues to lead and inform the rapidly growing field of lifestyle medicine. This is the discipline that focuses on the impact of daily habits and actions on both short- and long-term health and quality of life. The first edition of this comprehensive work named the field of lifestyle medicine in the academic medical literature. The fourth edition continues to span and expand the field and offers extensive evidence-based literature in virtually every aspect of lifestyle medicine. This Textbook, edited by cardiologist Dr. James Rippe, who is a leading lifestyle medicine researcher, represents the combined wisdom and recommendations of over 325 experts in virtually every aspect of lifestyle medicine. Chapter authors have been chosen because of their background as leaders in various aspects of lifestyle medicine. Lifestyle Medicine, Fourth Edition contains extensive sections on the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease,stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, dementia, and many other clinical conditions. Key lifestyle modalities such as physical activity, nutrition, weight management, sleep, stress reduction, and positive connections with other humans are supported by detailed discussion and state-of-the-art evidence. The expanded section on behavioral medicine provides an important framework for these discussions. Every chapter has been completely revised and many new topics added, such as lifestyle medicine for nursing, psychiatry, and preventive neurology. The fourth edition of this classic text continues to serve as the leading, comprehensive textbook in lifestyle medicine. The original has been called the “indispensable bible” of lifestyle medicine, and the fourth edition of this work continues to justify this designation. There is no longer any serious doubt that daily habits and actions have a significant impact on multiple aspects of health. The fourth edition of Lifestyle Medicine provides the scientific evidence to support this assertion and will serve as an invaluable reference and guide, not only to lifestyle medicine practitioners but to all primary care physicians, subspecialty physicians, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners.