Governance and update process for lifestyle medicine core competencies and definitions

Abstract

A governance structure and update process led by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) for maintaining the lifestyle medicine (LM) core competencies, the core LM definition, and core LM pillar definitions is being formalized. Although these were previously developed and recognized by established and credible lifestyle medicine organizations, this formal process will create ongoing and well-represented oversight of the validation and update process. The objectives of this formalization were to develop such a process to (1) document the immediate refinements made to the core LM definition and core LM pillar definitions in 2025-2026, and (2) describe the governance structure established by the IBLM Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) for maintaining and updating LM competencies and definitions. This work will strengthen the credibility, scalability, sustainability, standardization, and global adoption of LM competencies and definitions while ensuring responsiveness to evolving scientific evidence and population health needs.