Behavioral Medicine: Nutrition, Medication Management, and Exercise

Abstract

Behavioral medicine is the interdisciplinary approach dedicated to the (1) study of the biopsychosocial interactions between behavior, psychosocial, and biomedical science knowledge, (2) development of techniques relevant to the understanding of health and illness, and (3) application of this knowledge and techniques to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. These evidence-based practice methods are focused on improving the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and populations. Topics and health issues relevant to behavioral medicine may include health maintenance behaviors (e.g., exercise/physical activity and nutrition) and adherence to medical regimens (e.g.. medication management) for conditions/disabilities such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, pain, diabetes, obesity, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and respiratory disease. For the purpose of this brief chapter, we focus on the importance of nutrition, medication management, and physical activity as they all are behaviors that play a key role in the treatment and prevention of a range of adverse health outcomes relevant to overall health, rehabilitation, and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)