LIFESTYLE MEDICINE AND WELLNESS COACHING: PRINCIPLES, CONCEPTS, PROCESSES, AND ROLES IN HEALTH PROMOTION WITHIN THE THAI CONTEXT
Abstract
Lifestyle medicine and wellness coaching has gained increasing global attention as an effective approach to support sustainable health behavior change. It integrates person-centered care, intrinsic motivation, collaborative goal setting, and continuous follow-up. This article aims to synthesize the concepts, principles, processes, and evidence regarding lifestyle medicine and wellness coaching, as well as its potential roles in Thailand.
Current evidence suggests that coaching can improve key health behaviors including diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and self-care capacity. It has also been associated with favorable outcomes in body weight, glycemic control, blood pressure, and quality of life across several populations.
In Thailand, coaching may strengthen healthcare delivery across hospitals, primary care, communities, workplaces, and the wellness economy. However, sustainable implementation requires professional standards, certification systems, consumer protection, and locally relevant research.
In conclusion, lifestyle medicine and wellness coaching may become an important mechanism for transforming the Thai health system from one focused mainly on treatment after illness toward one centered on health creation and sustainable self-care.
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