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July 2025
Welcome member to
Your home of lifestyle medicine news
Summer is in full swing, and there has been plenty of activity across the lifestyle medicine community.
July has been a busy and productive month, with preparations for our September conference well underway and a range of work continuing across our network.
From finalising session details and releasing our programme to supporting members and sharing new resources, there has been steady progress throughout the month. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
In this edition, you’ll find a recap of BSLM’s highlights from July and a preview of what’s coming up in August. We look forward to sharing more opportunities to connect and get involved!
In this month's Newsletter...
HEADLINE NEWS
Hilton Rooms: Book Before 1st August to Secure Delegate Rate
If you're joining us at the BSLM 2025 Conference in Brighton, please make sure to book your accommodation at the Hilton Brighton Metropole as soon as possible.
Our reserved allocation of rooms will be released back into the hotel’s general stock on 1st August, after which prices are likely to increase significantly. To secure the special delegate rate, please use the booking link available on our website.
Also note that from 18th August, the hotel may begin reducing or closing off remaining room availability. We strongly recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Looking Ahead: Exploring the BSLM 2025 Programme
The full conference programme was released last month, and we hope you’ve had a chance to look through it. A wide range of sessions, workshops, and community events are planned, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Brighton.
As always, the programme includes plenty of opportunities to move, recharge, and connect. From morning yoga, pilates, and our morning run to beachfront boxing, sea swimming, and dancing on the Pergola at sunset, movement is woven into the fabric of both the event and the city.
These activities reflect the spirit of lifestyle medicine in action, and we hope you’ll make the most of everything on offer throughout the conference.
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Some noteworthy lifestyle medicine features within the recent news in Britain.
The BSLM teaches clinicians how to provide personalised and up-to-date advice and support around physical activity. This recent American review highlights the importance of good quality wrap-around care for new weight loss medicines such as GLP1 Receptor Agonists. The effects of physical activity likely mitigate against some of the risks of muscle loss during weight loss and "produce a synergistic effect for glucose control, weight, cardiovascular health, and many other health outcomes".
Want to hear more about how lifestyle medicine can support wrap-around care for weight loss treatment? Come and join us at our conference this September in Brighton.
Building on last month’s feature on Nourish Scotland, we’re highlighting a new project that could change how we approach healthy and social eating.
A new research project will see a public restaurant open in Nottingham in spring 2026, testing whether shared, affordable meals can improve public health and strengthen communities.
The DISHED project, led by the Institute of Development Studies in partnership with the University of Nottingham, Nourish Scotland, and others, will explore how public restaurants could offer healthy food in accessible, inclusive settings. Like libraries or leisure centres, these spaces are designed to serve everyone, regardless of income.
“Diet has overtaken smoking as the leading cause of preventable illness,” said Anna Chworow from Nourish Scotland. “It’s high time for us to invest in solutions that make good food accessible and convenient for everyone.”
With rising food inequality and growing interest in preventative health, this project offers a new approach to making nutritious food more widely available.
A new report has been released by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), following a webinar co-hosted with the European Cancer Organisation in April. The event explored ethnic disparities in healthcare through the lens of prostate and breast cancer, bringing together experts to examine structural barriers and identify practical actions to promote equity in prevention, research, and care.
Key themes included unequal cancer incidence and diagnosis rates, barriers to screening and research participation, the importance of community engagement and inclusive research design, and the urgent need for better data to inform policy.
Speakers emphasised that the solutions are already known but require coordinated implementation across sectors. The report contributes to ongoing equity efforts within the EU Anti-Racism Strategy and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
Newest releases available to read now!
The Lifestyle Medicine Journal has published a new collection of articles this July, continuing to offer evidence-based insights across key areas of health.
At the end of June, Higher Saliva pH Among Vegetarians Compared With Nonvegetarians in Hong Kong was released, exploring dietary patterns and oral health markers.
In early July, the journal featured Domain-Specific Diabetes Self-Management Correlates of Quality of Life Among Adults With Diabetes Mellitus in Routine Care at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana, followed by TUG and Six-Minute Walk Test in Vietnamese Community-Dwelling Elderly.
Most recently, Exercising Through Breast Cancer: A Case Study on Strength Training During Active Treatment was published, highlighting the role of physical activity during cancer care.
Other Lifestyle Medicine News and Events
We want to advise our followers that we as a charity welcome membership from organisations aligned with our aims, and in line with strict ethical and sponsorship policies in order to provide funding sources to the charity.
If you have a query around the subject matter we will happily discuss this with you, do drop us a DM or email: Office@bslm.org.uk as we want to make sure this content is a good fit for you.
Linwoods: Let’s hear it for healthy habits
One simple heart-loving habit you can start today is adding 2 tablespoons of milled flaxseed to your daily routine.
It’s easy to sprinkle over smoothies, yogurt, or porridge — tasty, convenient, and great for your health.
Flaxseed is naturally high in omega-3 (ALA), which supports normal blood cholesterol levels.
Looking for recipe inspiration? Visit their website for simple and delicious ideas.
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
Nutritional risks must be considered in GLP-1 prescribing
We’re proud to share an important article by BSLM Vice President Dr Ellen Fallows, published in The BMJ this month. In it, she highlights the urgent need for nutritional assessment and support as part of wraparound care for patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists.
“Wraparound care for patients taking GLP-1 agonists must include assessment of nutritional status to identify the risk of malnutrition,” writes Dr Fallows.
With food insecurity rising and diet quality falling, Dr Fallows raises concerns that prescribing appetite-suppressing drugs to people with poor nutritional intake could lead to serious complications. She points to existing case studies involving severe nutrient deficiencies, and a lack of clinical trial data on nutritional status in people using these medications.
The article calls for improved clinical guidance, greater awareness of malnutrition in obesity, and better access to nutritious food during treatment.
A Global Update in Lifestyle Medicine
We were delighted to see Dr Rob Lawson present A Global Update in Lifestyle Medicine at the International Conference on Healthy Lifestyle, held in Hong Kong earlier this month. His presentation explored global trends in lifestyle medicine, highlighted key LM organisations, and offered insight into the evolving landscape of the field in 2024.
The event also featured the Jockey Club We WATCH Healthy Lifestyle Project, led by Professor Samuel Wong, Director of the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The project focuses on empowering middle-aged adults to adopt healthier habits to help prevent or delay chronic disease.
The conference brought together leading voices in lifestyle medicine, including Susan Tan, President of the Society of Behavioural Health in Singapore, and Professor Frances Wong, Chair Professor of Advanced Nursing Practice at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
It was a valuable opportunity to share insights and strengthen global collaboration across the lifestyle medicine community. Outcomes from the We WATCH project are expected to be published soon.
New Aligned Organisation: Eat Breathe Thrive Foundation for Eating Disorders
We’re proud to highlight one of our aligned partners offering a powerful, trauma-informed approach to eating disorder recovery.
Since 2013, this organisation has delivered evidence-based interventions that complement clinical treatment by integrating embodied practices, mindfulness, and community support. Their aim is to help individuals rebuild their relationship with food, body, and self in a compassionate and sustainable way.
Backed by multiple peer-reviewed studies, including two randomised controlled trials, their work is grounded in both research and clinical relevance. To date, they’ve trained over 5,000 professionals globally and supported more than 19,000 people in 58 countries through direct services and professional training programmes.
As BSLM members, they are committed to working alongside clinicians to expand access to embodied, evidence-based care that supports lasting recovery.
Learn more about how their approach can complement your practice and support patients on their recovery journey.
New Aligned Organisation: Yoga Therapy Ireland
Yoga Therapy Ireland (YTI) is one of Ireland’s leading yoga teacher training organisations, offering internationally accredited, evidence-informed programmes with a strong therapeutic focus. Founded in 2000, YTI operates as a registered charity and non-profit, committed to raising professional standards in yoga education across Ireland and beyond.
With 25 years of experience, YTI provides a comprehensive 500-hour teacher training course that includes anatomy and physiology certification, in-person teaching, and full mentoring support. The programme prepares graduates to deliver safe, inclusive yoga for diverse populations, including children, older adults, those with special needs, and individuals with chronic conditions.
Accredited by Yoga Alliance, ITEC and other leading bodies, YTI is dedicated to making yoga accessible, effective and professionally delivered. Training takes place at the Marino Institute of Education and includes residential retreats, CPD opportunities and lifelong professional support.
We really appreciate your time - Member Feedback
Member experience is of the utmost importance to us at BSLM and we'd love to hear a little more from you. As we grow, your feedback, opinions and suggestions help us shape our service and strategy. Please spare a few minutes to complete the survey below.
What's happening in Our Communities?
Voice of Lived Experience
Recovery in Action: A Q+A session with the voices of lived experience team.
A diagnosis is not the end — it’s the beginning of empowering patients to take control of their health.
In this interactive Q+A session, meet the BSLM’s new Voice of Lived Experience Team for an inspiring session that brings powerful personal stories to the forefront. While each member has taken a unique journey, they are united by a shared strength: transforming a diagnosis into an empowering starting point to take control of their health and wellbeing through lifestyle medicine.
This is your opportunity to engage in open conversation, ask questions, and be inspired by recovery in action.
If you’d like to share your story with us, please take a moment to complete this form. Your experiences and insights are important and can help inspire others in our community.
Our monthly Live Well Update
Thank you for supporting live well east Lothian
We would like to thank the National Lottery Awards For All Programme for supporting Live Well East Lothian over the previous 12 months. The funding has now come to an end but has been put towards some of timetable growth that has allowed for a new type of classes (Dance for all levels), an increase in classes such as Better Balance and Level 2, and to expand the offering into Prestonpans and Port Seton. We are really grateful to the lottery for believing in our cause and helping us make sure everyone gets the exercise they need to live well.
If you know of any funding opportunities that might be suitable for Live Well East Lothian to apply to please get in touch!
New Musselburgh Level 2 Class
Due to popular demand we are starting a second Musselburgh Level 2 class on a Wednesday to allow for current attendees to come along twice a week. We are really pleased to be able to offer participants another opportunity to get some exercise and socialise throughout the week and are delighted that our current members are so keen to attend multiple classes.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a class, or know of a similar service (or lack of service in your area) please get in touch: livewell@bslm.org.uk / 0131 376 5315.
Is there something like Live Well East Lothian that you refer your patients to, or something that instills a sense of community and wellbeing? Let us know below, we'd love to share initiatives like this one near you!
FEATURED BSLM EVENTS
Head to the dedicated BSLM events page for the full list of upcoming events...
August's webinar is round the corner...
... Here's a sneak peek for this upcoming month!
We hope you enjoyed our previous webinar:
Our previous webinars are below if you want to catch up on them!
Schedule the below in your diary for September 2025!
BSLM Webinar on CPOC and Prehabilitaiton | Online Zoom | 7-8pm 3rd September
Join Dr Sunil Kumar and Prof. Scarlett McNally from the BSLM Prehabilitation SIG at 7PM on the 3rd of September and explore the vital role of prehabilitation through the lense of Lifestyle Medicine and learn about the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC).
International Food Addiction Conference | 4th-5th September | 9am-5pm
The International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference (IFACC) 2025 will take place at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Euston Square, London, England. This event will provide a platform for the latest research and clinical experience in Food Addiction and its comorbidities, including Type 2 diabetes, mental health challenges, cardiovascular disease, and cancers.
Active Net Conference | 10th September | Crieff Hydro
Over one day, delegates can expect educational seminars, at least 12 one to one meetings with relevant companies/decision makers from Local Authorities, Universities and Leisure Operators with scheduled networking slots.
A Guide to Social Prescribing | 12th September | VIRTUAL, Online
This conference will focus on increasing the scale and impact of social prescribing as outlined in the NHS long term plan. We will take a practical case study based approach to assessing, monitoring and improving the health outcomes of people who typically experience health inequalities.
20% discount with code hcuk20BSLM
BSLM 2025 | 18th-20th September | DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole - Brighton
Join us this year for our biggest conference yet! From the 18th of September until September 20th, BSLM are in Brighton to host our annual medical conference, bringing in speakers from across the globe to provide expert insight into all aspects of lifestyle medicine.
Other events to note...
Living Well Live! A one day event from Overcoming MS | 15th November 2025 | 9.00am-17.00pm | University of Warwick
Learning Academy
Hello from the Learning Academy!
You may have noticed that we haven’t released any new courses that recently and that is because we have been hard at work preparing a bumper course release around conference. We will be sharing details of forthcoming courses over the next few months and we are delighted to inform you about the first of these, our “Introduction to lifestyle Medicine”, aimed at non-clinical staff.
These roles, including health and wellbeing coaches, social prescribers and care navigators have potentially pivotal roles in the delivery of lifestyle medicine. We have therefore adapted the key information from the core accreditation to be relevant for the scope of practice of these groups.
The course will introduce the key concepts of lifestyle medicine, social determinants of health, 6 pillars and behavioural change techniques to enhance their practice, and much more.
If you would like to strengthen your wider team with lifestyle medicine knowledge and skills, watch this space!
Thought about doing our Core Accreditation?
NHS NETWORKS
Top News Stories in July
Exemption from advertising restrictions for less healthy food or drink
Understanding drivers of trends in young people’s mental health
NHS publishes waiting list breakdowns to tackle health inequalities
10 Year NHS Plan- Fit for the Future
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
