FAQs
UCLA Lifestyle Medicine Clinic — Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Lifestyle Medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine is a medical specialty defined by ACLM as “the evidence-based practice of helping individuals and families adopt and sustain healthy behaviors that affect health and quality of life.”
2. How is this different from seeing a primary care provider?
Lifestyle Medicine is meant to work alongside your primary care visits. While primary care often focuses on diagnosing conditions, managing medications, and addressing immediate health concerns, Lifestyle Medicine spends more time helping you understand the daily habits and root causes that affect your health, such as nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and social support.
Our visits allow for deeper conversations, goal-setting, and ongoing support to help you make changes that are realistic, sustainable, and tailored to your life.
3. Who can benefit?
People of all ages seeking to improve:
- Diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Obesity/metabolic syndrome
- Low energy or poor sleep
- Stress and burnout
- Mood and emotional wellbeing
- Chronic pain or inflammation
4. Do I need a referral?
Most patients come through referral from a UCLA provider, though self-referral may be possible depending on insurance.
5. What happens during my first visit?
Your clinician will review:
- Medical history
- Lifestyle habits (nutrition, movement, sleep, stress)
- Barriers you’re experiencing
- Your goals and values
You’ll develop a personalized action plan grounded in science and tailored to your life.
6. What are group visits?
Group visits or shared medical appointments combine clinical care, education, and peer support.
7. What should I bring to visits?
Come as you are. If you have them, any notes about your eating, activity, sleep, and health goals. Journals or tracking apps and wearable data are welcome but not required.
8. Do I have to follow a strict diet?
No. We do not promote extreme or restrictive diets.
We focus on sustainable, culturally relevant, whole-food nutrition.
9. Is the clinic weight-loss focused?
We prioritize metabolic health, energy, and wellbeing. Weight may improve as a result of healthier habits—not as the primary metric.
10. What insurance is accepted?
Most major insurance plans; coverage varies by program.
11. What if I have limited time or resources?
Your plan will be tailored to your reality—no matter your schedule, resources, or barriers.
12. How often are visits?
Visits are typically 4-6 times a year or monthly, this will vary based on the plan that is created with your provider.
13. Do lifestyle changes really work?
Yes. Research shows lifestyle interventions can prevent, treat, and even reverse many chronic diseases.
14. How do I schedule?
Referral, phone call, or myUCLAhealth—depending on your location.