Research reveals growing impact of Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups
The number of student-led Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups at medical and health professions schools nationwide increased from 46 to 140 during the three-year period examined in the study, positively impacting students, institutions and communities.
By Alex Branch | ACLM Director of Communications
August 7, 2025
Medical and health professional students across the country are empowering future health care clinicians with lifestyle medicine knowledge—one interest group activity at a time. A recent study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine shows the impact of Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups (LMIGs) on students, institutions, and communities.
The research, published by a team from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), offers a snapshot of LMIG activity across the United States between March 2020 and May 2023. During that timeframe, LMIGs hosted 1,062 events at 127 institutions, drawing nearly 30,000 attendees. The number of LMIGS also tripled during the study period from 46 to 140. Since then, LMIGs have continued to expand rapidly nationwide to 193 academic and health institutions today. This growth is a testament to a student-driven movement that’s helping to fill a critical void in health professional education.
Why lifestyle medicine interest groups matter
Despite the growing burden of chronic disease, the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, connectedness and avoidance of risky substances—have been historically underrepresented in medical and health professional school curricula. Learning to apply the pillars not only equips future clinicians with evidence-based tools to help make successful lifestyle interventions in patients, but also prepares them to practice self-care during the stressful demands of school.
Research suggests that students who balance studying with healthy habits and self-care are less likely to experience burnout and more likely to perform better academically. This alignment between professional practice and personal health leads to more compassionate, energized, and effective care.
Success and opportunities for growth
Supported by ACLM, LMIGs empower students to lead by example. These groups organize events that expose peers to evidence-based lifestyle interventions, foster leadership, and help build professional skills centered around whole-person care.
According to the research analysis, lectures (26%), group physical activity (15%), and board meetings (11%) were the most common LMIG events. The most frequently covered topics were nutrition (36%) and physical activity (22%), followed by mindfulness and stress management (11%). While fewer events focused on sleep, connectedness, or avoiding risky substances, the report identifies these as promising areas for growth.
Geographically, LMIGs now span nearly every region of the U.S, though 16 states still lack an LMIG—an opportunity ripe for growth.
An encouraging finding was that more than 44% of LMIG events required no funding. When support was needed, student activities funds (24%) and ACLM’s Taste of Lifestyle Medicine grants (15%) helped make events possible, suggesting that with minimal resources schools can make a big impact.
Lessons in leadership and community
LMIGs are also avenues for leadership development, community engagement, and innovation. Events included cooking demonstrations, webinars, community service projects and documentary screenings. Importantly, 41% of LMIGs used these events to promote awareness of lifestyle medicine, which can extend the group’s reach beyond campus walls.
To support LMIG leaders, ACLM offers the LMIG Toolkit, a national leadership community on ACLM Connect, and a virtual lecture series featuring thought leaders like Walter Willet, MD, DrPH, and Meagan Grega, MD, FACLM, DipABLM, DipABFM.
The LMIG at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine in Mount Pleasant, Mich. has become the college’s most sought-after student group since it launched in July 2024, said LMIG Co-Presidents McKenna Dooley and Elsa Varughese.
“Since starting an LMIG in a rural community, we have consistently experienced a high level of engagement from students, faculty and community members,” Dooley said. “The success of this group emphasizes how imperative it is to continue sharing the ACLM pillars and resources with our medical school and the surrounding community. Collaborating with other medical student groups and community partners to share plant-based recipes and educate about lifestyle medicine has been such a rewarding experience.”
Timing is right for LMIGs
LMIGs are low-cost, high-impact pathways to enhance medical education, improve student well-being and turn future clinicians into lifestyle medicine leaders. With support from ACLM and a growing community of passionate students and faculty, any school can get started.
As the authors of the study conclude, LMIGs are catalysts for a future in which lifestyle medicine is a foundational part of every health professional’s training. By starting or supporting an LMIG, schools have the power to shape that future today.
Want to learn more?
Are you a resident, student, or fellow interested in the field of lifestyle medicine? You’re not alone. As the fastest-growing medical specialty, lifestyle medicine (LM) is reshaping the future of healthcare, improving lives through evidence-based, whole-person approaches and offering a purpose-driven career path tied to tangible impact. To learn more about starting an LMIG at your institution, click on the button below.
About the author
Alex Branch is the director of communications for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). A former healthcare journalist, he transitioned to healthcare communications and public relations in 2013. Before joining ACLM, he served as press officer and senior director of communications at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.