An Evolutionary Mismatch Narrative to Improve Lifestyle Medicine: a Patient Education Hypothesis

Overview

Journal Evol Med Public Health

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Mar 22

PMID 33747517

Citations 4

Authors

Anthony J Basile

Michael W Renner

Brandon H Hidaka

Karen L Sweazea

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

An evolutionary perspective provides a unifying explanation for the modifiable risk factors and lifestyle-based interventions for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Non-communicable diseases develop from an evolutionary mismatch between the prior environment and modern patterns of behavior; however, it is unclear whether an evolutionary mismatch narrative could promote positive behavior change in patients. We hypothesize that educating patients about evolutionary mismatch could augment efforts to improve healthful behavior. Specifically, explaining the 'why' behind what is being recommended could promote health literacy and adherence. Furthermore, we offer suggestions of how clinicians could educate patients about evolutionary mismatch for key-lifestyle factors, diet and physical activity, as well as several specific modern diseases. We also consider how to sidestep patients' skepticism of evolutionary theory. Here, we lay the groundwork for research on how educating patients with an evolutionary mismatch narrative could impact health behaviors and improve outcomes.

Citing Articles

Placental-Heart Axis: An Evolutionary Perspective.

Matthews J, Rajakumar B, Carreon C, Morton S Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(20).

PMID: 39456993 PMC: 11508449. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252011212.

Evolutionary Echoes: A Four-Day Fasting and Low-Caloric Intake Study on Autonomic Modulation and Physiological Adaptations in Humans.

Belinchon-deMiguel P, Navarro-Jimenez E, Laborde-Cardenas C, Clemente-Suarez V Life (Basel). 2024; 14(4).

PMID: 38672727 PMC: 11051148. DOI: 10.3390/life14040456.

COVID-19 vaccination and the behavioral immune system: The newcomer and the old friend get along in preventing infection.

Troisi A, Nanni R, De Sanctis S, Dieguez G, Carola V Brain Behav Immun Health. 2023; 30:100621.

PMID: 37063495 PMC: 10081877. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100621.

Mitochondrial Aging and Senolytic Natural Products with Protective Potential.

Deledda A, Giordano E, Velluzzi F, Flore G, Franceschelli S, Speranza L Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(24).

PMID: 36555859 PMC: 9784569. DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416219.

References

Garcia-Silva J, N Navarrete N, Peralta-Ramirez M, Garcia-Sanchez A, Ferrer-Gonzalez M, Caballo V . Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2018; 50(9):896-904. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.06.003. View

Sheeran P, Maki A, Montanaro E, Avishai-Yitshak A, Bryan A, Klein W . The impact of changing attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy on health-related intentions and behavior: A meta-analysis. Health Psychol. 2016; 35(11):1178-1188. DOI: 10.1037/hea0000387. View

Enam S, Hashmi S . The importance of Evolutionary Medicine in developing countries: A case for Pakistan's medical schools. Evol Med Public Health. 2018; 2018(1):26-33. PMC: 5822701. DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoy004. View

Yamaoka K, Tango T . Efficacy of lifestyle education to prevent type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care. 2005; 28(11):2780-6. DOI: 10.2337/diacare.28.11.2780. View

Spahn J, Reeves R, Keim K, Laquatra I, Kellogg M, Jortberg B . State of the evidence regarding behavior change theories and strategies in nutrition counseling to facilitate health and food behavior change. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010; 110(6):879-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.021. View

Pontzer H, Wood B, Raichlen D . Hunter-gatherers as models in public health. Obes Rev. 2018; 19 Suppl 1:24-35. DOI: 10.1111/obr.12785. View

Miller J, Scott E, Okamoto S . Science communication. Public acceptance of evolution. Science. 2006; 313(5788):765-6. DOI: 10.1126/science.1126746. View

Arlinghaus K, Johnston C . Advocating for Behavior Change With Education. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018; 12(2):113-116. PMC: 6124997. DOI: 10.1177/1559827617745479. View

Konner M, Eaton S . Paleolithic nutrition: twenty-five years later. Nutr Clin Pract. 2010; 25(6):594-602. DOI: 10.1177/0884533610385702. View

10.

Jonsson T, Ahren B, Pacini G, Sundler F, Wierup N, Steen S . A Paleolithic diet confers higher insulin sensitivity, lower C-reactive protein and lower blood pressure than a cereal-based diet in domestic pigs. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2006; 3:39. PMC: 1635051. DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-3-39. View

11.

Perrier M, Martin Ginis K . Changing health-promoting behaviours through narrative interventions: A systematic review. J Health Psychol. 2016; 23(11):1499-1517. DOI: 10.1177/1359105316656243. View

12.

Read A, Woods R . Antibiotic resistance management. Evol Med Public Health. 2014; 2014(1):147. PMC: 4228198. DOI: 10.1093/emph/eou024. View

13.

Katz D, Meller S . Can we say what diet is best for health?. Annu Rev Public Health. 2014; 35:83-103. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182351. View

14.

Lindeberg S, Jonsson T, Granfeldt Y, Borgstrand E, Soffman J, Sjostrom K . A Palaeolithic diet improves glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischaemic heart disease. Diabetologia. 2007; 50(9):1795-1807. DOI: 10.1007/s00125-007-0716-y. View

15.

Veile A . Hunter-gatherer diets and human behavioral evolution. Physiol Behav. 2018; 193(Pt B):190-195. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.05.023. View

16.

Barrett S, Begg S, OHalloran P, Kingsley M . Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy for lifestyle mediators of overweight and obesity in community-dwelling adults: a systematic review and meta-analyses. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18(1):1160. PMC: 6173936. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6062-9. View

17.

Perlman R . Evolutionary biology: a basic science for medicine in the 21st century. Perspect Biol Med. 2011; 54(1):75-88. DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2011.0012. View

18.

Tseng H, Liao S, Wen Y, Chuang Y . Stages of change concept of the transtheoretical model for healthy eating links health literacy and diabetes knowledge to glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes. Prim Care Diabetes. 2016; 11(1):29-36. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2016.08.005. View

19.

Minich D, Bland J . Personalized lifestyle medicine: relevance for nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. ScientificWorldJournal. 2013; 2013:129841. PMC: 3710624. DOI: 10.1155/2013/129841. View

20.

Perlman R . Evolution and medicine. Perspect Biol Med. 2013; 56(2):167-83. DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2013.0012. View