A new study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2025) reported on a systematic review of research examining the six health behaviors (i.e., Pillars) associated with Lifestyle Medicine for high school athletes.
The review underscored the urgent need for targeted interventions such as nutrition education programs, sleep hygiene initiatives, and mindfulness-based stress management tailored to high school athletes.
The authors concluded that addressing these gaps within the framework of Lifestyle Medicine can enhance both performance and long-term well-being.
The authors also recommended collaborating with schools and athletic departments to offer seminars on substance use prevention, nutrition, and mental health.
We believe that prevention specialists can play a key role in promoting the six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine among youth and young adults by providing evidence-based substance use/misuse programs that integrate the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Prevention interventions should be implemented to student athletes, as well as all youth, for improving their performance in sports and school as well as mental and physical well-being.
Read the full study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15598276251388632