OET Rx (Student Pre-Class)

Lesson 6: Giving Lifestyle Advice (Diet & Exercise)

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Course Progress

Overall Progress Lesson 6 of 100

Part 1: Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Use specific vocabulary to give advice on diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.
Structure your advice in a motivating and non-judgmental way.
Help patients set realistic and achievable lifestyle goals.
Address patient resistance and lack of motivation.

Lesson Video

Coming Soon

This video will be available for the offline course version.

Part 2: Vocabulary & Examples

Study the words, their pronunciations, Persian translations, and example sentences to understand how they are used in context.

General Vocabulary

contribute /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/:

مشارکت کردن

A sedentary lifestyle can significantly contribute to the development of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes.

control /kənˈtroʊl/:

کنترل

The core of this plan is to help you take control of your eating habits rather than letting them control you.

convenient /kənˈviːniənt/:

مناسب

While processed foods are convenient, they often contain high levels of salt and sugar, which you should avoid.

conversation /ˌkɒnvərˈseɪʃn/:

گفت‌وگو

Let's have an open conversation about the challenges you are facing with your diet.

convince /kənˈvɪns/:

متقاعد کردن

My goal isn't to force you, but to convince you of the long-term benefits of regular exercise.

core /kɔːr/:

هسته

The core component of our advice is to focus on small, sustainable changes instead of a drastic diet.

correct /kəˈrɛkt/:

صحیح

It is crucial to use the correct form when doing these exercises to prevent injury.

cost /kɒst/:

هزینه

The long-term cost of an unhealthy lifestyle far outweighs the short-term effort required to change it.

course /kɔːrs/:

دوره

A smoking cessation course can provide you with the support and strategies you need to quit successfully.

cover /ˈkʌvər/:

پوشش دادن

Our next consultation will cover strategies for managing food cravings and making healthier choices when eating out.

create /kriˈeɪt/:

ایجاد کردن

Let's create a simple weekly exercise plan that fits conveniently into your current schedule.

crisis /ˈkraɪsɪs/:

بحران

A diagnosis like this can feel like a crisis, but it's also an opportunity to take control of your health.

criterion /kraɪˈtɪəriən/:

معیار

The main criterion for a successful lifestyle change is consistency, not perfection.

critical /ˈkrɪtɪkl/:

حیاتی

It is critical that you reduce your salt intake to help manage your blood pressure.

criticism /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/:

انتقاد

This conversation is not about criticism; it's about finding practical solutions that work for you.

crucial /ˈkruːʃl/:

حیاتی

Regular physical activity is crucial for both your physical and mental well-being.

cultural /ˈkʌltʃərəl/:

فرهنگی

We need to consider your cultural dietary habits to ensure the meal plan is both healthy and enjoyable for you.

cure /kjʊər/:

درمان

While there is no magic cure, these lifestyle changes are the most effective way to manage your condition.

current /ˈkɜːrənt/:

جاری

Your current level of physical activity is quite low, so we should aim to increase it gradually.

currently /ˈkɜːrəntli/:

در حال حاضر

Are you currently following any specific diet or exercise regimen?

Medical Vocabulary

Body Mass Index (BMI) /ˈbɒdi mæs ˈɪndɛks/:

شاخص توده بدنی

Your Body Mass Index is in the overweight range, so our goal is to bring it down through a combination of diet and exercise.

Calorie Intake /ˈkæləri ˈɪnteɪk/:

مصرف کالری

To lose weight, your daily calorie intake must be slightly less than the amount of energy you burn.

Cardiovascular Exercise /ˌkɑːrdioʊˈvæskjələr ˈɛksərsaɪz/:

تمرین قلبی-عروقی

I recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, most days of the week.

Lifestyle Modification /ˈlaɪfstaɪl ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/:

تغییر سبک زندگی

Lifestyle modification is the most crucial component in managing pre-diabetes and preventing its progression.

Motivation /ˌmoʊtɪˈveɪʃn/:

انگیزه

Finding a strong personal motivation, such as being healthy for your family, is critical for sticking to your goals.

Nutrient-dense /ˈnjuːtriənt dɛns/:

غنی از مواد مغذی

It's important to choose nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins over processed snacks.

Relapse /rɪˈlæps/ (n.):

بازگشت

It's common to have a minor relapse in your diet; the important thing is to get back on track and not give up.

Sedentary Lifestyle /ˈsɛdntəri ˈlaɪfstaɪl/:

سبک زندگی بی‌تحرک

A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, so even small increases in activity can help.

Smoking Cessation /ˈsmoʊkɪŋ sɛˈseɪʃn/:

ترک سیگار

I would strongly advise you to join a smoking cessation program, as they can double your chances of quitting successfully.

Strength Training /strɛŋkθ ˈtreɪnɪŋ/:

تمرین قدرتی

In addition to cardio, incorporating strength training twice a week will help boost your metabolism.

Part 3: Pre-Class Practice Tests

Reading Task:

Excerpt from a Public Health Guideline for Dietitians

When advising on lifestyle modification, patient motivation is a crucial component for success. A common pitfall is to present a diet plan as a restrictive regimen, which can lead to feelings of deprivation and eventual relapse. A more effective approach is to co-create the plan with the patient. The core criterion for any dietary advice should be sustainability. Rather than focusing on a list of "forbidden" foods, the conversation should cover the inclusion of nutrient-dense alternatives. Cultural dietary norms must also be considered. For example, advising a patient from a South Asian background to adopt a strictly Mediterranean diet may not be convenient or culturally appropriate, thus reducing adherence. The goal is to build a plan that controls calorie intake while fitting into the patient's current lifestyle and cultural context.

Question: According to the guideline, what is a key reason a restrictive diet plan might fail?

Listening Task (Part A Simulation):

Scenario: You will hear a physiotherapist talking to a new patient about his sedentary lifestyle and back pain.

0:00

Task: Complete the notes below. Write one or two words for each gap.

Physiotherapy Notes: Patient with Back Pain

Patient's Occupation: (1)

Main Contributory Factor: (2) lifestyle

Initial Advice:

Take short breaks every (3) minutes.
Incorporate simple (4) at his desk.

Long-term Goal: Increase general (5) level.

Part 4: Answer Key for Pre-Class Work

Reading Answer: b) It can make the patient feel deprived and is often not sustainable.

Listening Answers: (1) Office worker, (2) Sedentary, (3) 30 / thirty, (4) stretches, (5) activity

Part 5: In-Class Preparation

Be prepared to discuss the vocabulary and practice the following tasks in class.

Speaking Task: OET Role-Play Card

Setting: Community Health Nurse's Office
Patient: A 45-year-old patient who has recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes and has a high BMI. They seem unmotivated and feel that changing their diet and exercise habits is too difficult.
Task: Greet the patient and acknowledge their recent diagnosis. Gently explore their feelings and the reasons for their lack of motivation. Explain the critical importance of lifestyle modification in a non-judgmental way. Instead of giving a strict plan, try to set one small, achievable goal together (e.g., related to diet or exercise). Offer resources and schedule a follow-up to build momentum.

Writing Task:

You are the nurse from the speaking scenario. After the consultation, write a short follow-up email to the patient. Your goal is to reinforce the small goal you set together and provide a link to a helpful, encouraging online resource (e.g., an article on "Starting with Small Changes").

Proceed to Lesson 7

OET Rx

In this lesson, you will be able to: