Lifestyle Medicine Takes Centre Stage in Imo During Global Week of Action Against Chronic Diseases

Lifestyle Medicine took centre stage across Imo State as healthcare professionals, patients, school children, and community members joined millions around the world to mark the 2026 Global Lifestyle Medicine Week, a worldwide campaign promoting healthy living as a powerful tool for preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Activities in Imo State were coordinated through the Lifestyle Medicine Unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri under the leadership of Dr. Ijeoma Dozie, Consultant Family Physician, International Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, and Education Secretary of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria, with support from The Lifestyle Impact Foundation.

Lifestyle medicine and the D.R.E.A.M.S. framework

SOLONg is Nigeria's professional body for Lifestyle Medicine practitioners and is affiliated with leading global Lifestyle Medicine organizations, advancing evidence-based approaches to preventing and managing non-communicable diseases worldwide.

Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical specialty that uses healthy nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and avoidance of harmful substances to prevent, treat, and sometimes reverse chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and some cancers.

Throughout the week, the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine were promoted using the D.R.E.A.M.S. framework developed by Dr. Ifeoma Monye and promoted by SOLONg. The acronym stands for Diet and Nutrition, Relationships, Exercise and Physical Activity, Avoidance of Harmful Substances, Mental Wellbeing and Stress Management, and Sleep.

The theme for this year's observance was: "Live the D.R.E.A.M.S.: Simple Choices, Powerful Results."

Week-long activities across hospital and community settings

Activities commenced on Sunday, May 17, with an international webinar held in collaboration with the Society of Family Physicians of Ghana, the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, and the Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri. Titled "Beyond the Pills: The Science of Lifestyle Medicine," the webinar introduced participants to the principles of Lifestyle Medicine and the role of lifestyle choices in long-term health outcomes.

Speaking during the webinar, Dr. Dozie emphasized that while medicines remain important, sustainable health outcomes require addressing root causes such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, poor sleep, chronic stress, tobacco use, and social isolation.

On Monday, May 18, members of the Lifestyle Medicine Team conducted health talks at the General Outpatient Clinic and National Health Insurance Authority waiting areas of FTH Owerri, educating patients and their relatives on the D.R.E.A.M.S. approach to healthy living.

Tuesday's activities focused on physical activity and social connectedness. The team organized a Zumba exercise session, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director of FTH Owerri, Dr. Jideuma Egwim, and later held a social connectedness event featuring interaction, games, healthy food, and fellowship.

Nutrition, heart health, leadership wellbeing, and public engagement

The nutrition pillar took centre stage on Wednesday, May 20, during a culinary demonstration at the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic Demonstration Room. Participants learned how to prepare steamed plantain pudding with vegetable stir-fry and tigernut drink, highlighting healthy and culturally appropriate food choices.

On Thursday, May 21, Dr. Dozie delivered the keynote address at the 5th Annual Healthy Heart Summit organized by the Precious Healthy Life Foundation. Speaking on "Healthy Diet: An Essential Secret to a Healthy Heart," she highlighted the role of nutrition in cardiovascular health.

A major highlight of the week came on Friday, May 22, with the Executive Lifestyle and Resilience Workshop for Healthcare Leaders held for the Chief Medical Director and principal officers of the Federal Teaching Hospital Owerri. The workshop focused on leadership wellbeing, resilience, stress management, and healthy lifestyle practices.

Public engagement continued on Saturday, May 23, with a radio appearance on Heritage FM 88.7 Owerri, where Lifestyle Medicine and the six pillars of health were discussed using the D.R.E.A.M.S. framework.

Children's Day outreach and closing reflections

The campaign extended beyond the official week on Tuesday, May 26, when the Lifestyle Medicine Team visited Fresh Air Academy, Owerri, as part of Children's Day celebrations. Pupils and students received age-appropriate health education on the D.R.E.A.M.S. framework, while more than 350 apples were distributed to promote healthy eating habits.

Addressing the students, Dr. Dozie encouraged them to embrace healthy habits early in life. "My message to Nigerian children is simple," she said. "Eat fruits and vegetables, drink more water, stay active, go to bed early, avoid harmful substances and build healthy habits now because the choices you make today will shape your future health."

The event also featured first-aid training, games, competitions, balloon-bursting activities, colour-assembling races, and prize presentations, combining health education with fun and excitement.

Participants who attended some of the hospital outreach activities described the sessions as informative and practical, while calling for more community-based health education programmes.

The week concluded with a feedback and connectedness gathering organized and sponsored by The Lifestyle Impact Foundation, bringing together members of the Lifestyle Medicine Team to reflect on lessons learned, celebrate successes, and strengthen professional relationships.

Reflecting on the week, Dr. Dozie commended the doctors, dietitians, and members of the Lifestyle Medicine Team for their dedication and commitment. "Healthier choices today mean fewer chronic diseases tomorrow. That is the message of Lifestyle Medicine and the reason we took this campaign into our hospitals, schools and communities," she said, as Global Lifestyle Medicine Week 2026 drew to a close in Imo State.