The 2011 Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association Conference, November 4-6, Harbord Diggers, Sydney

– Putting the ‘Sizzle’ back into Science

Over two and a half days, medical, allied and alternative health professionals were exposed to the latest research relating lifestyle factors to health and disease management. Speakers ranged from backgrounds in medicine, exercise physiology, psychology, dietetics and nutrition, natural therapies and the commercial health industry, while Dick Smith and finance guru Ross Gittins gave attendees a well-rounded perspective on the status of Australian & global health.

Chronic inflammation or ‘meta-flammation’ was discussed in depth in relation to it’s impact on overall well-being, and how it underpins many of the chronic conditions we face as individuals and practitioners.

The topic of the pre-conference workshop was, ’Lifestyle prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes: is it possible?’. A series of nutrition related talks outlined the importance food in quelling inflammation, and indeed improving many of the markers associated with diabetes progression. Key messages to come from the nutrition related presentations included the potential role of advanced glycaemic end-products (AGEs) in the development of diabetes, the   powerful effect of vegetarian and plant-based diets and evidence of diabetes reversal through the return to a traditional aboriginal diet

A number of presenters discussed the common links of chronic inflammation and type 2 diabetes with depression, sleep disorders and obesity, while all reinforced the evidence behind lifestyle changes, in particular physical activity, as a  major player in prevention and management.  While the evidence for structured regular exercise is clear we also heard that emphasis needs to be placed on reducing sedentary behaviour, which is itself a risk factor for diabetes, independent of planned exercise.  Presentations also covered the role of lifestyle in the prevention of GDM & post-partum diabetes, and  the first results from the Sydney Diabetes Prevention trial.

The conference’s official opening was highlighted with entertaining and enlightening talks by Dick Smith and Ross Gittins. Ross gave the relationship between economics, growth and well-being a unique perspective, while Dick spoke of his passion regarding population growth, health and sustainability.

Saturday morning started with practicalities and difficulties faced in weight-loss treatment. This session saw practice tips and tricks from bariatric GPs and leaders of specialist weight loss centres around the country. This was followed by a series of presentations on age and cancer related sarcopenia, and the latest nutritional and exercise prescriptions that may help to reduce or prevent sarcopenia in these populations.

Mental health was addressed after lunch on Saturday. Attendees were exposed to the political side of mental health care, and in a later session, given a thoroughly enlightening presentation on how to maintain a healthy mental state while caring for these individuals. Some fascinating data were presented on the impact of stand-up comedy training for dementia patients, and the powerful effect of mindfulness as an adjunctive treatment for depression and over-eating, all providing further confirmation of the importance of these modalities in health care management. These sessions were capped off by an entertaining presentation describing the new perspectives for sexual health in the age of social media.

Chronic pain and it’s now established links with chronic inflammation were discussed by a number of speakers noting that active treatment through physical activity and nutrition are critical for reducing or managing chronic pain, while presenting some eye-opening data on the misuse of opioids in this patient group.

Sunday morning was packed full of the latest findings on primary, secondary and tertiary management of disease through exercise, a fascinating update of what’s new in nutrition, a fantastic presentation by the Naked Runners on increasing the joy of exercise, and follow up presentations that furthered information in regards to breaking barriers and treatment benefits of exercise in chronic pain.

Perspectives and data from corporate health programs, introduction of a high quality and easily disseminated rehab program for metabolic health, a succinct overview of how exercise and nutrition help to treat the root cause of chronic disease, and the presentation of an exciting study looking to investigate the potential of personal carbon trading as means of improving the health of our population and our environment closed the conference with a bang.

In all, the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Conference is an event that should be on your calendar for next year. The quality of speakers, the mixed modalities and the practical applications taken away from the weekend make it a must for anyone in the profession of health and well-being. It was clear from the conference that while no one modality has all the answers, together we will have a greater and more lasting impact on the health of our clients and the general population..


Cameron McDonald (Universsty of Queensland) and Dr Kate Marsh (Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Sydney)