On Monday, November 17, 2025, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) kicked off its annual LM2025 Conference in Grapevine, Texas, with simultaneous virtual attendance from participants around the globe. The event brought together a diverse community of healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, culinary experts, and wellness advocates to explore how lifestyle interventions—particularly in nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and social connection—can be harnessed to prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic disease. This year’s gathering marks a significant moment in the maturation of lifestyle medicine as a clinical discipline and public health strategy.
The opening day featured a keynote address by Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, who drew on his extensive background in trauma surgery, public health, and policy. In his remarks, Carmona emphasized the urgent need to transition from a reactive healthcare system to one rooted in prevention. He highlighted the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, and pointed to the power of evidence-based lifestyle changes as both a clinical tool and a public health imperative.
Carmona also participated in a panel titled “From Populations to Patients: Bridging the Public Health and Clinical Care Divide,” where experts discussed how healthcare providers can integrate lifestyle medicine principles into routine practice. The panel called for new models of care that address not only medical treatment but also the social and environmental determinants of health. The discussion reinforced the idea that lifestyle medicine is not a fringe concept but a necessary evolution in modern healthcare, particularly as chronic diseases continue to drive up costs and reduce quality of life for millions of Americans.
This year’s LM2025 Conference stands out not just for its keynote speakers but for the breadth and depth of its content. Over 230 peer-reviewed research abstracts are being presented, representing a growing body of evidence that supports the efficacy of lifestyle interventions. Attendees can also participate in hands-on culinary medicine workshops, emphasizing practical skills in preparing whole-food, plant-based meals that can be recommended to and replicated by patients. These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between knowledge and application, allowing clinicians to more confidently discuss diet and nutrition with their patients.
One of the key themes at the conference is the role of ultra-processed foods in the modern diet and their link to chronic diseases. A well-attended session on Monday evening delved into the controversies surrounding these products, including their widespread availability, aggressive marketing, and the health risks associated with long-term consumption. Experts presented data showing that diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and certain cancers. They also addressed the challenges of helping patients shift toward healthier eating habits in a culture saturated with convenience and fast-food options.
Another highlight of the conference is the “Planted to Plated” culinary experience, a comprehensive track that teaches attendees how to apply lifestyle medicine principles in real-world settings. Participants include physicians, dietitians, chefs, and other wellness professionals who are eager to integrate food-as-medicine principles into their practice. These sessions reinforce the conference’s broader message: lifestyle choices are powerful tools for health, but they must be supported by systems that make those choices accessible and sustainable.
The LM2025 Conference is not only a learning event but also a platform for professional development and certification. Many attendees are pursuing continuing medical education credits and certification in lifestyle medicine, a growing specialty that reflects increasing demand among both patients and practitioners. The ACLM has seen a rise in membership and certification applications in recent years, a sign that more healthcare providers are embracing prevention-oriented care models.
What makes LM2025 especially timely is the broader context in which it takes place. The U.S. healthcare system continues to grapple with high costs, health disparities, and the burden of preventable chronic diseases. At the same time, public interest in wellness, nutrition, and sustainable living is rising. The conference provides a forum where these parallel trends can intersect—where science, policy, and clinical practice meet to explore how to create healthier people and communities.
The hybrid format of this year’s conference reflects a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. While hundreds of attendees are gathering in person in Texas, thousands more are joining virtually from around the world. Virtual attendees have access to live-streamed sessions, on-demand recordings, and online networking tools, allowing them to engage fully with the conference content regardless of location.
As LM2025 continues through November 19, the agenda includes sessions on cardiovascular disease reversal, lifestyle medicine applications in behavioral health and cancer survivorship, and the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in personalized health coaching. The conference concludes with a focus on global collaboration, showcasing how lifestyle medicine is gaining traction in health systems across the world.
Ultimately, the LM2025 Conference signals a transformative shift in the way health is understood and pursued. By centering nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and connection as pillars of health, lifestyle medicine is challenging the notion that chronic disease is an inevitable part of aging. Instead, it offers a vision of healthcare that empowers individuals and communities to thrive—proactively, sustainably, and equitably.
