ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the issue of lifestyle medicine related to the pediatric population, including issues related to diet, physical activity, sleep, obesity, cardiovascular health and bone health. It examines the behavioral principles that can be utilized to promote optimum health behaviors and to change health behaviors when necessary to improve lifestyle and health. Lifestyle medicine in pediatric populations is no longer solely intended to prevent future disease. Lifestyle behaviors, including diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are often central to the prevention or progression of multiple non-communicable diseases, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Functional contextualism is the philosophical framework that underlies operant psychology and the related field of behavioral economics, as well as psychotherapeutic practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The treatment literature has shown that modifying lifestyle behaviors is supported by delivering intensive, comprehensive programs that include education but also behavioral skills training.
