No images? Click here
August 2025
Welcome member to
Your Home of Lifestyle Medicine News
As summer winds down, momentum is building across the lifestyle medicine community, with our annual conference now just weeks away.
August has been a productive month at BSLM as we put the finishing touches on what promises to be our best conference yet. At the same time, we’ve continued to support our members, share valuable resources, and stay connected across the network.
In this edition, you’ll find highlights from a busy August and a preview of what’s ahead in September. We look forward to welcoming many of you to Brighton at the end of the month!
In this month's Newsletter...
HEADLINE NEWS
Step Up for Brighton at BSLM 2025
This year, our conference is in Brighton, and we’re proud to support Sussex Homeless Support, a local volunteer-run charity providing over 400 hot meals and 1.2 tonnes of supplies each week to people experiencing homelessness.
They are currently in urgent need of new socks for men and women. Every pair donated brings comfort, warmth, and dignity to someone in need.
We invite conference attendees to bring a new pair or a pack of socks to BSLM 2025. All donations will go directly to Sussex Homeless Support’s Street Kitchen at Old Steine in Brighton.
Let’s make a difference together and leave Brighton a little warmer.
This year’s abstract submissions have once again showcased the passion and innovation within our community. Our Director of Science and Research, Dr Ed Maile, shares his reflections on the quality, themes, and exciting insights emerging from this year’s contributions:
"We are thrilled that a diverse and high-quality selection of research will be presented at the BSLM conference in Brighton in September. We received ninety abstract submissions from a diverse group of authors across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, and are particularly pleased that several authors are students.
The abstracts were reviewed by a panel of three experienced researchers, and 57 were accepted for presentation at the conference, including four oral presentations. The exciting range of accepted research includes topics such as the use of wearable technology to promote mindful eating; the interplay between psychology and motivation to exercise; and interventions to address food insecurity in our communities. We hope you can join us in Brighton to hear more!"
Behind every abstract is a personal motivation. Here’s what our submitters shared about why they chose to contribute to BSLM 2025:
Effects of a Lifestyle-Based Intervention on Glycaemic Control and Body Composition in T2DM: Findings from the Polish Cohort of the C4D Study | Submitted by Joanna Ostrowska
"I submitted this abstract to highlight how structured, lifestyle-based, multidisciplinary programmes like C4D can lead to significant improvements in cardio-metabolic control in people with type 2 diabetes. I believe lifestyle medicine has the power to reshape chronic disease care, and the BSLM Conference provides a unique opportunity to share insights and practical experiences in this crucial field.”
Lifestyle Assessment in Patients with a New Diagnosis of Inflammatory Arthritis | Submitted by Una Martin
"As a nurse I am passionate about caring for patients living with arthritis. This is a fantastic opportunity to illustrate how a multidisciplinary team included lifestyle assessment in patients with a new diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis. Early intervention with lifestyle assessment can support patients look at their whole self and the impact they can have at managing their overall health when living with a chronic disease. It highlights the importance of lifestyle assessment at an early stage of disease to clinicians caring for patients with inflammatory arthritis in the management of their disease and their long-term outcomes."
Health and Wellbeing Coaching: The effectiveness and impact of health coaching in primary care | Dr Caroline Gibson
“I see in practice every day the positive impact health coaching has on people’s lives. Yet within the current challenging NHS environment, it’s often still viewed as a ‘nice to have’ rather than a core intervention. Our research shows that health coaching not only improves health outcomes but also reduces demand on primary care — a genuine win-win for patients and the NHS.”
Integrating Lifestyle Medicine into Menopause Care: An Audit of Lifestyle Counselling in Primary Care Menopause Consultations |Dr Saloni Kapoor & Dr Bhavini Shah
“We submitted this abstract to highlight the unique opportunity that first-contact menopause consultations present for lifestyle-based interventions. By embedding discussions on diet, exercise, mental health, and cardiovascular risk into routine GP appointments, we can shift the focus towards prevention and empower women to take an active role in their long-term health. Our audit aims to demonstrate how aligning menopause care with lifestyle medicine principles can improve outcomes and support healthier ageing."
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Some noteworthy lifestyle medicine features within the recent news in Britain.
Can two diets follow the same healthy eating guidelines but lead to different outcomes? A new randomised controlled trial published in Nature Medicine suggests they can.
In this new research, participants following a diet of minimally processed foods (MPF) experienced significantly greater weight loss, fat reduction, and improved craving control compared to those on a diet of ultra-processed foods (UPF). This was despite both diets being designed to meet the UK’s Eatwell Guide recommendations.
The study, led by Dr Samuel Dicken, found a 2.06 percent weight loss on the MPF diet, compared to 1.05 percent on the UPF diet. The findings challenge the idea that nutrient content alone is enough to guide dietary choices and highlight the role of food processing in metabolic health.
Join Dr Samuel Dicken at BSLM 2025 as he unpacks the evidence in his session: “Ultra-processed food: the science and the art.” Don’t miss this deep dive into one of today’s most urgent nutrition topics.
Smartwatches and stress: how reliable is the data?
With nearly half a billion users worldwide, smartwatches have become go-to tools for tracking health, from steps to sleep and even stress. However, new research from Leiden University shows those stress readings might not always match how we actually feel.
The study found that since most smartwatches estimate stress using heart rate, they can mistake excitement or physical activity for stress. This is a reminder to look at wearable data in context, especially when it comes to mental wellbeing, one of the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
Newest releases available to read now!
The Lifestyle Medicine Journal has just launched its fourth issue, continuing to offer evidence-based insights across key areas of health.
At the end of July, Impact of Frailty on Hospital Adverse Outcomes in Elderly With Acute Coronary Syndrome was released, exploring the impact of frailty on hospital adverse outcomes in older people with ACS in Vietnam.
In early August, the journal featured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Middle-Aged Women: Is It Menopause Stages or Symptoms That Matter?, which examines the association of menopausal stage and symptoms severity with PA and sedentary time in women.
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.
Yakult: Free CPD Webinar | 10th September | 7-8pm
Join Yakult Science for Health and My Nutri Web on 10th September, 7-8pm, for a FREE CPD WEBINAR.
Expert speaker Kirsten Jackson RD (known as ‘The IBS Dietician’), will address the latest scientific research to support IBS management and optimise patient outcomes.
It will cover:
- The difficulties managing IBS in primary care and how to use the low FODMAP diet effectively and safely
- The gut-brain axis and its modulation as a strategy to manage IBS symptoms
- Common missed alternative diagnoses in IBS
- The role of each health professional in the care of IBS patients
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
We’ve been heard. Now let’s make it happen
The new NHS 10-Year Health Plan has been released and it puts prevention firmly on the agenda. This is a significant step forward for lifestyle medicine and for all of us who have been advocating for change.
With your support, BSLM has played a role in shaping this. We contributed to the NHS Change campaign, met with Douglas Alexander MP, and presented three clear asks that are now with Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
Lifestyle medicine training for every healthcare professional, for themselves and their patients
Funding to deliver evidence-based lifestyle care
National leadership to shift how the public understands health
This is real progress, but a strategy is only as strong as its delivery. Here is how you can help make it happen:
Share these priorities with your MP and within your health networks
Use and promote our free Lifestyle Medicine tools and Group Consultations training
Watch or rewatch our Lifestyle Medicine for the Workforce event, already viewed by hundreds
We recently met with Douglas Alexander, MP for Lothian East, to present three clear asks that have now been shared with Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Now it’s time to take action. We’re urging BSLM members and supporters to raise this message directly with your local MPs, health organisations, and Integrated Care Boards.
Your voice is crucial to ensuring Lifestyle Medicine and preventive care skills are prioritised in future health policies and programmes.
We are pleased to highlight the launch of the Association of Health and Wellbeing Coaches CIC, a new organisation supporting NHS Health and Wellbeing Coaches and the patients they work with. The association aims to promote professional standards, provide accredited training and supervision, and champion the critical role of coaching in improving patient care and service delivery.
Membership is free for NHS coaches who have completed the mandatory 4-day PCI-accredited health and wellbeing coaching training course. The association will also work alongside the Personalised Care Institute to support the ‘what matters to the patient’ agenda and provide a voice in stakeholder spaces to help secure the long-term future of the role.
For full details, including their upcoming activities and governance plans, read the press release from the Association of Health and Wellbeing Coaches CIC below.
Raising Awareness of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
We are delighted to share that one of our members, Dr. Louise Oliver, recently supported a patient in raising awareness of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) on BBC Look North.
The patient described how using a CPAP machine, alongside strategies to support nasal breathing, has helped improve fatigue, pain, brain fog, and exercise tolerance. She has also been able to reduce her need for pain medication and begin a phased return to work.
Spotting the signs
NICE guidance recommends considering screening for OSA if two or more of the following are present: snoring, witnessed apnoeas, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, excessive fatigue, nocturia, choking during sleep, sleep fragmentation, or memory impairment.
Evidence from the American Thoracic Society supports nasal CPAP as the initial treatment option for most patients, with better adherence and outcomes compared to full-face CPAP.
We are always pleased to share inspiring stories like this, which highlight the valuable work our members are doing. Their efforts not only raise awareness of important health issues like OSA but also help drive positive change and improve understanding across the wider community.
Aligned Organisation Highlight: NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health
We’re delighted to spotlight one of our aligned organisations, the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health. Based in Cambridge and active across six continents, NNEdPro has spent 17 years tackling global health challenges by turning nutrition knowledge into real-world solutions.
Their work spans research and innovation, education and training, community impact initiatives such as the Mobile Teaching Kitchen International, and advisory services for organisations worldwide. They also host the International Academy of Nutrition Educators (IANE), a global membership platform supporting high-quality nutrition education and professional development.
Coming up: The 11th NNEdPro International Summit on Food, Nutrition and Health takes place 11–12 December 2025 in Dundee & St Andrews, Scotland, and online. This year’s theme, “Target 2030: Food and Nutrition Policy – From Human to Planetary Health”, will gather experts, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world. Abstract submissions are open until 15 October 2025.
Learn more and register below (use code 25EVTS for 25% off).
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 Update
Welcome to the BSLM first patient facing webinar series, led by peers from our voice of lived experience team!
Launching on the 25th September, this free webinar series is aimed at people living with a chronic illness or condition who are looking to hear from others navigating similar path. If you have been given a diagnosis or are going through a period of ill health, Lifestyle Medicine can provide an opportunity to manage and take control of your health and wellbeing.
These webinars are here to provide an open conversation and opportunity to hear from the experiences of others . If you, or one of your patients would like to register to join, click the button below!
**Please note the purpose of this series is to share experiences and connection, not to offer medical advice or treatment. Registration spots are limited for the initial series.
Live Well East Lothian Update
At Live Well East Lothian, we are constantly engaging with participants and encouraging them to share their experiences and feedback with us. Below is a snippet of a recent testimony shared by one of our longstanding participants;
“I had a heart attack “out of the blue” 18 years ago, a week before my 58th birthday. But since then have lived a wonderful life, thanks to - a supportive husband, prompt action by NHS 24 and the ambulance service, excellent treatment at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and wonderful rehabilitation and ongoing support locally from the local GP surgery and exercise classes run by, firstly East Lothian Cardiac Rehab Group, now known as Livewell East Lothian. I have attended at least 2 of their classes weekly for the last 18 years. I regard my heart attack, not as an ending, but very much as a new beginning. …
Though my heart attack came out of the blue, many members of my family have also had heart problems - father, brother, uncle, aunt, cousins on my father’s side; and I recently discovered that my maternal great grandmother must have died from something similar, at the same age I was. Yet no-one would have considered that I was a candidate for heart problems! So I am very interested in early identification of people, especially women, who might unknowingly be at risk of heart disease.”
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:
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!
Our Podcasts
Microbiome Medics Newest Release:
The Only Good Germ is a Dead Germ? A Surgeon's Radical Rethink with Prof John Alverdy
The Movement Prescription Podcast is back! Their Newest release:
Moving Through Cancer with Lucy Gossage and Cat Fraser-Harris
FEATURED BSLM EVENTS
Head to the dedicated BSLM events page for the full list of upcoming events...
With BSLM 2025 just around the corner, our webinar series is on a short break. Keep an eye out for October’s webinar. More details coming soon!
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 Prehabilitation | 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 lens 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
Mainstreaming Lifestyle Medicine Through Group Clinics | 16th September | 12:30-13:30pm | Online
This webinar provides an opportunity to hear from two lifestyle medicine experts about their journey to embed this approach in their clinical practice, and how they have harnessed the group clinic model to achieve this. Hear from Dr Jacky Buchanan who is passionate about lifestyle medicine and has embedded group clinics in her practice in Whitstable, Kent and from Dr Sue Law who supports bus drivers in Plymouth Devon to improve their health through both one to one and group clinical care.
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.
NHS Lothian Diabetes MCN Professional Education Conference 2025 | 1st October 2025 | COSLA Conference Centre, Edinburgh
Join them for a day of learning, discussion, and networking with colleagues across NHS Lothian. The conference will cover key updates in diabetes care and provide a platform for shared insights and collaboration.
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
This Month’s Learning Academy Update
We are really looking forward to seeing many of you at the conference in just a few weeks. The learning academy team will be available on our stand every break time to discuss our courses and other opportunities. Do come along just to say hello or with any questions you may have!
If you are already studying the LMCA with us we will be having a learner-only networking session and face-to-face version of our quarterly learner check-ins at conference on Friday lunchtime at 12.45-1.15 - do come along to meet your course mates and discuss any course queries.
See you there!
On a different note, you may have seen that this Autumn, the Learning Academy will be bringing you our Weight Management course, using LM principles to support both medicated and non-medicated journeys. Aligning with this, and as part of our commitment to remaining at the cutting edge of Lifestyle Medicine evidence, we are compiling a case series, to help us measure and illustrate the impact of a lifestyle wrap around within weight management.
If you are currently working with patients on weight management we would like to hear from you! Get in touch with us via the office. It is our hope that this will feed into future research around lifestyle support for weight loss journeys.
Thought about doing our Core Accreditation?
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
