title: Implementation of psychiatric-focused lifestyle medicine programs in Asia.
abstract: Lifestyle-focused health programs are growing in interest throughout Western society, and a range of lifestyle factors are known to enhance both physical and mental health. However, it remains largely unknown as to whether this approach is salient for the Asian context. The major components of integrative lifestyle-focused health programs to enhance mental and physical health are considered to include the evidence-based adoption of physical activity and exercise, dietary modification, general psychoeducation, adequate relaxation/sleep and social interaction, use of mindfulness techniques, the reduction of substance use, attention of intersecting environmental factors, and the potential use of motivation and goal-setting techniques. This paper outlines an overview of the evidence underpinning these elements, and discusses potential barriers and challenges, and what logistical considerations may need to be addressed in the implementation of such programs within the context of Asian cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarris
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Policy and Evaluation, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Neural and Cognitive Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Pin
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bannatyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.affiliation: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ee-Heok
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kua
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Chee Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D004035:Diet Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D064866:Mindfulness; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011613:Psychotherapy
keywords: Asia; health promotion; lifestyle; mental health; psychiatry