Dr. D. Levi Harrison, an orthopedic surgeon and UC Davis Medical School graduate, visited his alma mater in August to talk to students about the role that fitness plays in medical education.

Harrison, who recently published a book titled "The Art of Fitness: A Journey to Self Enhancement" (Brio Press, $39.95, 232 pages) holds undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and romance languages, and graduate degrees in physics and French in addition to his medical degree. He has a private practice as a hand specialist in Glendale.

Why did you decide to write a fitness book?

It's about letting people know that fitness and exercise are lifestyle choices that we have to make to not only have the aesthetic of looking healthy on the outside, which is the superficial part of fitness. I wrote the book so people can understand that fitness is from the inside out.

What makes your book different from other fitness books?

It's geared toward anyone of any fitness level. The book is about helping people to not only get healthy, but make lifestyle changes. The goals of the book aren't about achieving an aesthetic. The goals are to decrease the rates of diabetes, hyper-tension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cholesterolemia and obesity.

The book is really there to let people know that they shouldn't compare themselves to anybody. The goal is to remind people that your body is yours and that where you are today is a good place.

So if you're overweight, you're underweight, you're not very fit, that's OK. Every day you get to start the journey again.

Where do you think fitness education fits into today's medical school?

I definitely think fitness, health and nutrition should be a greater part of all medical school education.

Read the original:
Fitness author brings multiple disciplines to his craft