Lifestyle Medicine 2016 in reflection
The feedback has been unanimous. Lifestyle Medicine 2016 was THE best conference ever. From the inspiring speakers to the fabulous (mostly plant-based) food, and our ever-entertaining Master of Ceremonies to the engaging mid-session activity breaks, I’m sure everyone who headed to Melbourne last weekend would agree that it was an event not to be missed.
Over three information-packed days, we heard from 48 speakers from eight countries, including an inspiring talk from guest speaker Dr Bob Brown, past leader of the Australian Greens, and the exciting announcement of the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance.
There was so much to take away but here are just a few things that stood out:
Dr Bob Brown – don’t get depressed, get active!
- I gave up being a GP to be an environmentalist – the ultimate career in preventative medicine: Dr Bob Brown, highlighting the importance of the environment for our health.
- Optimists are the ones moving forward: Dr Bob Brown on why he chooses to be optimistic rather than getting depressed on the state of our environment.
- 50% of the world health burden is chronic disease: Prof Maximilian de Courten discussing moving prevention policies on chronic diseases forward in Australia.
The importance of gratitude – grateful people experience more positive emotions, enhanced wellbeing, more hope, less depression and anxiety, less envy and are more empathetic and forgiving, less materialistic: Paul Taylor presenting the findings of an integrated workplace wellbeing program on physical and mental health.
Bob Brown and Dr Caroline West
Prof Maximilian de Courten on the policies needed for change
- Everyone should be given the choice of lifestyle medicine: Dr George Guthrie (President, American College of Lifestyle Medicine) discussing the past, present and future of lifestyle medicine
- We need to be looking at the cause of the cause of the cause of the cause: Dr Garry Egger discussing diabesity and metaflammation.
- Walking for just 30 minutes per day reduces the risk of almost all chronic diseases – Emeritus Prof Mark Wahlqvist who told us “When you can’t walk you will wish you could, so walk”.
We need to look at the environment, not just individual health: Emeritus Prof Mark Wahlqvist discussing human ecology and health.
- Could we be suffering from nature deficit disorders?: Emeritus Prof Mark Wahlqvist discussing human ecology and health and research showing the impact of access to green space on our health.
Prof Mark Wahlqvist with Prof Kerin O’Dea, A/Prof Felice Jacka and Prof Boyd Swinburn
Prof Mark Wahlqvist with Prof Kerin O’Dea, A/Prof Felice Jacka and Prof Boyd Swinburn
- A comprehensive lifestyle modification program incorporating a plant-based diet, physical activity, stress management and spiritual health can significantly reduce chronic disease risk factors, even when led by community trained volunteers: Dr Paul Rankin discussing the results of the Complete Health Improvement program (CHIP).
- Motion creates emotion: Dr Darren Morton (with help from the Wiggles) discussing the impact of lifestyle change on emotional health.
- How we feel affects whether we fly or fall: Dr Darren Morton discussing his Live More! project and its impact on emotional wellbeing.
- Type 2 diabetes can be reversed if we intervene (with lifestyle changes) early – this should be our goal: Prof Wayne Dysinger.
Dr Wayne Dysinger on diabetes reversal
Prof Kerin O’Dea on the hunter gatherer
The ideal intervention prevents multiple risk factors. Lifestyle change is this intervention: Prof Barbora de Courten discussing low cost interventions for the prevention of cardiometabolic risk factors and disease.
- The power of lifestyle change: Prof Kerin O’Dea discussing her research showing that returning to a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle can reverse type 2 diabetes in Australian Aborigines.
- The benefits of meditation: Emeritus Professor Peter Smith discussing contemplative healthcare and the use of meditation to reduce stress and improve situational awareness and attention for health professionals. Loved this quote he shared from the Dalai Lama…
And finally the power of dancing, singing, laughter and the ukulele thanks to Caroline West, Cameron McDonald, the Bee Gees and the Rolling Gallstones….or was that the Healthy BMIs?
For those who missed out on Melbourne 2016, the good news is that Lifestyle Medicine 2017 will be held 15-17 September in Sydney and you can register now to take advantage of super early bird pricing. And for a limited time you can use the conference promo code PASSIONATE for an extra passionate supporter discount.
You can also now get online access to videos of plenary lectures, concurrent workshops and panel discussions from Lifestyle Medicine 2016. Here’s the program and speakers. That’s over 90 videos totalling 33 hours of conference sessions delivered over three days at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, 4-6 November, 2016. Get access now.
More Lifestyle Medicine wrap up:
