Type 2 diabetes: a case series of remission

Submissions are now closed but analysis is being finalized on this care series documenting improvements in blood glucose control, reductions in medication, and remission of type 2 diabetes. The planned publication will be the first to describe remission in patients without using a low-calorie diet or metabolic surgery.

Analysis of LM practice and practitioner burnout

Clinicians who practice LM anecdotally report substantial benefits to patients, yet LM in practice can be challenging in the context of the conventional medical practice, insurance models, and reimbursement. The project aims to (1) characterize the demographics and motivations of clinicians who practice LM; (2) identify the patient outcomes following LM-type interventions, and (3) gather information on challenges and needs of ACLM member clinicians for the purpose of informing advocacy efforts.

Randomized controlled trial using the Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission (LEADR) curriculum from ACLM

The Lifestyle Empowerment Approach for Diabetes Remission (LEADR) Program is a medical nutrition intervention to facilitate improved glucose control with the eventual goal of disease remission, among people with type 2 diabetes. A central component of the program is the intervention curriculum which provides participants, facilitators (clinicians running group programs), and coordinators (support staff handling logistics) with materials and demonstrations to promote healthier shopping, cooking, and eating, as well as maximizing use of available resources, to improve dietary habits among participants and their families.

Lifestyle medicine in health systems; a case series on facilitators and barriers to implementation

Despite challenges often encountered around implementing LM, a number of hospital or health systems have successfully integrated LM into their models of healthcare in various capacities, some even growing robust programs with many patients. This project aims to determine factors associated with the implementation and growth of LM practices, challenges experienced, and lessons learned.

Development of a whole food, plant-based dietary adherence questionnaire

The aim of this project is to develop and test tools to assess adherence to a whole food, plant-based diet.  Two tools are being developed: (1) a brief screener capturing frequency of intake for 22 different food/beverage groups and (2) a longer questionnaire capturing servings/day for a wider range of food groups.

Evaluation of knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors following lifestyle medicine training at US-based health systems

Certain U.S. health systems are implementing ground-breaking programs to offer lifestyle medicine training for employees. The aim of this study is to conduct pre- and post-surveys among enrolled clinicians at these participating health systems to characterize clinician demographics and assess health behaviors and LM knowledge, self-efficacy, and practice of LM before and after training.

Clinical practice guideline development

Creation of CPGs utilizes a systematic process to develop statements to assist clinicians in delivering lifestyle medicine to patients. ACLM is currently engaged in planning discussions to select a specific methodology and identify initial topic areas for our first CPG.

ACLM Trainee research grants:

The application portal is now open for Trainee research grants through Sept 9,2022. Trainee Research Grants encourage and facilitate the conduct of original research activities relevant to lifestyle medicine among ACLM Trainees and provide mentoring in lifestyle medicine to ACLM Trainees engaged in research.

Feasibility and Safety of Medication De-escalation in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Following Lifestyle Medicine Interventions

To characterize the protocols and decision-making processes around practitioner decisions to deprescribe medications following treatment with lifestyle medicine.

First, a cross-sectional survey of prescribing ACLM clinician members will be conducted to better understand views and practices related to medication de-escalation/de-prescribing.  Second, a retrospective chart review will be conducted to describe de-escalation protocols of three LM practitioners and conduct a safety review for adverse events among patients whose glucose-lowering medications were de-escalated.

Evaluation of the Reach and Utilization of the Culinary Medicine Curriculum from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Culinary medicine is an evidence-based field that brings together nutrition and culinary knowledge and skills to assist patients in maintaining health by choosing high-quality, healthy food in conjunction with appropriate medical care. Since 2019, ACLM has offered a Culinary Medicine Curriculum via complimentary download. This project utilizes a cross-sectional survey of individuals who have utilized the curriculum to identify if and how the curriculum has been modified for use and better understand the challenges and needs of those using the curriculum.