Overview

I volunteer as a Primary Care Physician at a not-for-profit clinic that serves low-income communities, primarily from South Asian backgrounds. My focus is on managing chronic diseases. During one-on-one consultations, I conduct a detailed lifestyle history using a Lifestyle Assessment Form, which enables me to provide nutritional and lifestyle prescriptions alongside conventional treatments.

Additionally, we’ve established a multidisciplinary working group of physicians, dietitians, and nurses to develop a Lifestyle Medicine Programme. We’ve begun with workshops, which have been received positively.

In my role as a Lifestyle Medicine Consultant at an insurance brokerage, I work with corporate clients to implement preventive health initiatives and wellness programmes. A key part of this work involves presenting the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Plate, which has been well received. Many individuals and groups appreciate its flexibility as they have found it less restrictive when compared to an exclusive wholefood, plant-based diet. 

Alignment with the EAT-Lancet Commission 

The EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet underpins all areas of my work.

• In clinical settings, I emphasize the health benefits most relevant to patients.

• In corporate environments, I highlight both human and planetary health aspects, aligning with sustainability goals and green initiatives.

I have developed a Health Risk Assessment Score, incorporating a nutritional component based on the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet. This tool is used both in clinical practice and corporate group settings, providing individuals with personalised dietary recommendations based on their scores. 

Next steps

• Await ethics approval for formal research on the Lifestyle Medicine Programme at the not-for-profit clinic.

• Strengthen collaboration with DGI/PAN and the UAE Ministry of Health.

Develop a Sustainability Score, similar to the existing Health Risk Score. 

For more information contact: Arti Rampaul at amahbubani@hotmail.co.uk