Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine
Objective: Individual behavior is regarded as the primary factor influencing health. Despite recent advances in health science, the increasing prevalence of both non-communicable diseases and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors needs to be effectively controlled. The objective of this short communication...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Preventive Medicine Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525000385 |
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| author | Mohamad Motevalli Fatima Cody Stanford Günther Apflauer Katharina Christina Wirnitzer |
| author_facet | Mohamad Motevalli Fatima Cody Stanford Günther Apflauer Katharina Christina Wirnitzer |
| author_sort | Mohamad Motevalli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: Individual behavior is regarded as the primary factor influencing health. Despite recent advances in health science, the increasing prevalence of both non-communicable diseases and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors needs to be effectively controlled. The objective of this short communication is to explore the theoretical basis for integrating lifestyle habits into school education and highlight its significance for public health policy. Methods: A conceptual, perspective-driven analysis was conducted, drawing on evidence from existing literature on the role of educational settings in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. The study evaluates current physical education (PE) programs and curricula addressing health-related issues while proposing an updated, proactive approach to mitigating existing health concerns. Results: Schools have significant potential to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits through practical, real-life applications. PE is a primary school-based subject capable of promoting an active lifestyle; however, debates persist regarding its adequacy and effectiveness in other facets of health promotion. From a holistic perspective, it is proposed that PE be evolved into lifestyle education (LE), that aims to integrate all lifestyle factors—beyond physical activity—within the school-based educational framework on a global scale. Conclusions: Establishing school-based LE appears crucial for addressing the growing pandemic of chronic health conditions from their earliest origins. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-94aeb626f7d44c23bc945a0651c9c45f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-3355 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventive Medicine Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-94aeb626f7d44c23bc945a0651c9c45f2025-02-08T05:00:21ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552025-03-0151102999Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicineMohamad Motevalli0Fatima Cody Stanford1Günther Apflauer2Katharina Christina Wirnitzer3Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Secondary Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria; Corresponding author at: Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.MGH Weight Center, Department of Medicine-Division of Endocrinology-Neuroendocrine, Department of Pediatrics-Division of Endocrinology, Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard (NORCH), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USAFederal Ministry for Education, Science and Research, Department of School and University Sports, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Secondary Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria; Research Center Medical Humanities, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Otto-Heubner Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine (OHC), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, GermanyObjective: Individual behavior is regarded as the primary factor influencing health. Despite recent advances in health science, the increasing prevalence of both non-communicable diseases and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors needs to be effectively controlled. The objective of this short communication is to explore the theoretical basis for integrating lifestyle habits into school education and highlight its significance for public health policy. Methods: A conceptual, perspective-driven analysis was conducted, drawing on evidence from existing literature on the role of educational settings in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. The study evaluates current physical education (PE) programs and curricula addressing health-related issues while proposing an updated, proactive approach to mitigating existing health concerns. Results: Schools have significant potential to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits through practical, real-life applications. PE is a primary school-based subject capable of promoting an active lifestyle; however, debates persist regarding its adequacy and effectiveness in other facets of health promotion. From a holistic perspective, it is proposed that PE be evolved into lifestyle education (LE), that aims to integrate all lifestyle factors—beyond physical activity—within the school-based educational framework on a global scale. Conclusions: Establishing school-based LE appears crucial for addressing the growing pandemic of chronic health conditions from their earliest origins.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525000385LifestyleEducationPreventionHealth behaviorPublic healthHealth policy |
| spellingShingle | Mohamad Motevalli Fatima Cody Stanford Günther Apflauer Katharina Christina Wirnitzer Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine Preventive Medicine Reports Lifestyle Education Prevention Health behavior Public health Health policy |
| title | Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| title_full | Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| title_fullStr | Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| title_short | Integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education: A proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| title_sort | integrating lifestyle behaviors in school education a proactive approach to preventive medicine |
| topic | Lifestyle Education Prevention Health behavior Public health Health policy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525000385 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohamadmotevalli integratinglifestylebehaviorsinschooleducationaproactiveapproachtopreventivemedicine AT fatimacodystanford integratinglifestylebehaviorsinschooleducationaproactiveapproachtopreventivemedicine AT guntherapflauer integratinglifestylebehaviorsinschooleducationaproactiveapproachtopreventivemedicine AT katharinachristinawirnitzer integratinglifestylebehaviorsinschooleducationaproactiveapproachtopreventivemedicine |