Two experts in family medicine and behavioural science from US institutions have participated in a seminar to help people overcome unhealthy lifestyle habits at the second edition of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s (WCMC-Q) Ask the Expert series.
Dr Jeffrey Ring and Dr Robert Like explained techniques that can help individuals find the motivation needed to break negative patterns of behaviour and embrace healthy new lifestyles.
Dr Ring, director of behavioural sciences and cultural medicine at the White Memorial Medical Centre, Los Angeles, said: “My three key pieces of advice are to identify your strengths as well as opportunities to change unhealthy behaviours, seek out inspiration from appropriate religious and spiritual sources, and make use of available community resources.”
The seminar gave advice on how to get activated to make positive changes to behaviour, with a particular focus on healthy eating and weight loss. Dr Ring and Dr Like recommended setting realistic goals, celebrating successes and becoming informed and enlightened about health issues to maintain motivation.
Dr Like, professor and director, Centre for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said: “The good news is that there are many pathways to change ourselves, our bodies and our health. These include patient activation, mindfulness approaches and identifying a partner in our efforts to make healthy lifestyle changes.”
Successful strategies for combating obesity were also discussed, with advice including finding an exercise partner, cutting out sugary sodas, drinking lots of water and using a pedometer to encourage walking.
The Ask the Expert series is part of WCMC-Q’s Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First campaign, a five-year initiative that aims to encourage members of both the expatriate and Qatari communities to make healthy lifestyle choices.