Description
Short description of learning outcomes:
The Healthy Lifestyle Promoter has the knowledge to support communities and individuals to make positive lifestyle changes. They can discuss ways to encourage communities and individuals to use initial lifestyle screening tools (such as Lifestyle Scan) and health educational materials. They can also describe how to provide an individual with practical information, which can be helpful for positive lifestyle change. The Healthy Lifestyle Promoter signposts all populations, including those with special needs, to appropriate information resources, such as New Health Educational Materials (e.g. on health-enhancing exercise and diet, sleeping and mental habits).
Responsibility and autonomy:
The Healthy Lifestyle Promoter can describe his/her professional boundaries and knows how to perform his/her health promotion activities independently, often within a network of community-based health and lifestyle provision. He/she is ready to inform communities and individuals about healthy lifestyle recommendations, but is not responsible for the effects of health-related activities undertaken by the individuals.
Specific Prerequisites:
You must be at least 16 years old to obtain this qualification. There are no requirements in terms of prior education or professional experience.
Target groups:
The following occupational groups may potentially be interested in obtaining the Healthy Lifestyle Promoter qualification: exercise and sports professionals, healthcare professionals, public health specialists, lifestyle coaches, physiotherapists, teachers, pedagogical or community workers. With this qualification they will have additional, practical knowledge to promote healthy lifestyles among their communities and individuals. The Healthy Lifestyle Promoter qualification is also aimed at volunteers and consumers who want to spread information on healthy habits but are from outside the above occupational groups. This qualification could be attractive for youngsters, as well, opening the opportunity for professional development in the health and fitness sector.
Achieved competences:
The ‘Healthy Lifestyle Promoter’ has the competences to:
• Discuss ways how to encourage communities and individuals to use initial lifestyle screening tools, such as the Lifestyle Scan;
• Describe ways to provide the individual with practical information on healthy lifestyle (e.g. related to exercise, diet, sleep, mental habits, avoiding alcohol, tobacco or drugs), using health promotion materials such as New Health Educational Materials;
• Signpost to resources, organisations, events in the local community that support a healthy lifestyle for all populations, including those with special needs;
• Discuss the importance of being a good role model through his/her own attitude and behaviour;
• Discuss the importance of performing health promotion activities within his/her scope of practice.
The ‘Healthy Lifestyle Promoter’ is not endorsed to:
• Deliver group exercise, fitness instruction or personal training sessions;
• Prescribe rehabilitation programmes;
• Provide exercise testing and prescription;
• Prescribe any kind of medication or supplements;
• Prescribe nutritional programmes;
• Diagnose any psychological disorders or mental health conditions;
• Provide any kind of psychological counselling;
• Diagnose diseases, disabilities or other clinical conditions.