Mentor

Richards, Andrew

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Abstract 

Objective: Lifestyle Medicine (LM) effectively addresses the lifestyle-related diseases that contribute most to global morbidity, mortality, and healthcare spending. However, nurses and nursing students struggle with maintaining healthy lifestyles themselves, with LM and health behavior change strategies insufficiently taught in nursing education. Method: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design examined the effects of an LM educational intervention on undergraduate nursing students’ knowledge of LM and intentions for health behavior change. Data were collected using demographic questions, an LM knowledge (LMK) questionnaire, the Lifestyle Medicine Assessment (LMA), and a modified Intention to Change Behavior Scale (ICBS). Intervention: 77 students enrolled in one of three Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at one private university voluntarily participated. During the 3-hour intervention, 47 first-semester students applied their knowledge of LM and health behavior change to the care of self and others. Results: LMK and ICBS scores related to nutrition, sleep, social connections, physical activity, and substance use significantly increased post-intervention. LMK, overall ICBS scores, and ICBS scores related to nutrition, social connections, and physical activity were significantly increased compared to the control group post-intervention. A moderate, positive correlation between ICBS and LMK scores was observed, and LMK predicted ICBS scores in a linear regression model. Conclusion: Further research should evaluate the long-term effects of LM education on nursing students’ lifestyle behaviors and clinical practice. These findings suggest that enhanced LMK positively influences intentions for behavior change in nursing students.

Keywords: Lifestyle Medicine, health behavior change, nursing education, nursing students

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