{"id":133115,"date":"2026-05-27T15:04:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T12:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lsmu.lt\/?post_type=events&p=133115"},"modified":"2026-09-16T09:13:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T06:13:41","slug":"10th-international-scientific-lifestyle-medicine-conference","status":"publish","type":"events","link":"https:\/\/lsmu.lt\/en\/events\/10th-international-scientific-lifestyle-medicine-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"10th International Scientific Lifestyle Medicine Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We invite you to participate in the 10th International Scientific Lifestyle Medicine Conference, organized by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences together with the Lithuanian Obesity Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date: <\/strong>21 October 2026
Location:<\/strong> VICTORIA Hotel Kaunas, Mi\u0161ko g. 11, Kaunas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pre\u2011conference<\/strong> will take place on 20 October 2026 <\/strong>at Til\u017e\u0117s g. 18, in the Faculty of Public Health. More detailed information HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifestyle medicine specialists, public health professionals, physicians and nurses of all specialties, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, researchers, the academic community, and anyone interested in lifestyle medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target audience:<\/strong> Lifestyle medicine specialists, public health professionals, physicians of all professional qualifications, nurses of all professional qualifications, physiotherapists, medical psychologists, and social workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event will be held in English<\/strong>. 
The event will be held onsite and online<\/strong>.
The programme may be subject to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fees<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference participation fee is 35 EUR. A reduced fee of 20 EUR applies to students, members of the Lithuanian Obesity Association, and colleagues from the LSMU Faculty of Public Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment details:  
Recipient: Lithuanian Obesity Association  
IBAN: LT227044060008291844  
Bank: SEB 
Payment reference: LM2026 conference<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Call\u00a0for\u00a0Abstracts<\/strong><\/p>\n

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On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we invite you to submit abstracts on key lifestyle medicine topics \u2014 including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, and social support.<\/p>\n

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Abstract\u00a0submission\u00a0requirements:<\/strong>\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n Pre-conference information <\/div>\n
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On the eve of this year\u2019s International Lifestyle Medicine Conference, on October 20, we are organizing a special pre\u2011conference event dedicated to healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, and others), lifestyle medicine specialists, and students interested in effective communication with patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We invite you to join training sessions and practical workshops that will provide not only knowledge but also hands\u2011on skills. The competencies you acquire will be applicable in your daily practice to help ensure more sustainable patient behavior change and more meaningful, effective communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karen\u202fGregory\u2011Mercado, Ph.D., teaching professor at Arizona State University\u2019s College of Health Solutions, is coming to Lithuania. She developed and led the USA recognized Health and Wellness Coaching NBHWC program. Having over 20 years of experience in health education, behavior change training and health coaching, she will share her expertise on how to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • help\u00a0patients\u00a0discover\u00a0their\u00a0inner\u00a0motivation;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • communicate\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0way\u00a0that\u00a0makes\u00a0people\u00a0feel\u00a0heard;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • strengthen\u00a0patient\u00a0engagement\u00a0in\u00a0health\u00a0behavior\u00a0change;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • implement\u00a0health\u00a0coaching;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • build\u00a0a\u00a0collaborative,\u00a0respectful,\u00a0and\u00a0empowering\u00a0consultation\u00a0environment;\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • apply\u00a0supportive\u00a0health\u00a0coaching\u00a0methods\u00a0in\u00a0clinical\u00a0situations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              This day will serve not only as a space for intensive practical training, but also as an opportunity to meet practicing lifestyle medicine and other healthcare professionals who will share their experience, clinical examples, and insights from everyday practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In addition to the health coaching workshop, the pre\u2011conference will include practical session focused on developing clinical reasoning skills in lifestyle medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              During the practical clinical case analysis workshop, healthcare professionals will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in lifestyle medicine and learn to apply it systematically in everyday clinical practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Throughout the interactive sessions, real clinical patient cases will be examined by integrating theoretical foundations of lifestyle medicine with practical decision\u2011making. Participants will learn to connect a patient\u2019s diseases, symptoms, and clinical data with lifestyle risk factors, identify priority problems, and develop an individualized lifestyle medicine intervention plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The mechanisms of action of various interventions, their clinical relevance, applicability, and implementation barriers will be explored. The workshop will be enriched with idea generation, teamwork, discussions, and the sharing of professional experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In addition, a third practical workshop will be led by an international team of three specialists. LSMU will be represented by Prof. Vilma Kriau\u010dionien\u0117 from the Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health \u2013 a physician, lifestyle medicine specialist and researcher with many years of experience in studying population nutrition, risk factors for obesity and other chronic diseases, and their prevention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              She will be joined by colleagues from the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences: Prof. Danuta Gajewska \u2013 a dietitian and researcher whose professional and scientific work focuses on the prevention and dietary management of obesity, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, as well as the dietary management of inflammatory conditions and food allergies; and Prof. Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak \u2013 a dietitian specialising in child nutrition, obesity, eating disorders and the prevention of nutrition-related diseases, an active participant in international projects, and Vice-President of the Polish Dietetic Association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              In these interactive, case-based workshops, participants will analyse clinical cases, assess patients\u2019 dietary habits and nutrition-related problems, discuss factors influencing dietary change, and develop a \u201cmenu\u201d of clinically appropriate solutions. They will also explore how to communicate with a patient who believes that following a strict diet is the only way to lose weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Working in groups, participants will discuss which dietary changes should be prioritised for each patient, formulate a patient-centred SMART goal, and develop a long-term follow-up plan. Presentation of the clinical decisions and a joint discussion will provide an opportunity to share professional insights and learn from different perspectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              This event is designed for both beginners and experienced professionals who wish to strengthen their skills in supporting patient behavior change and creating sustainable, patient\u2011centered solutions \u2014 it will be a space for safe experimentation and learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              During the event, you will also enjoy delicious snacks.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              At\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0event the\u00a0participants\u00a0are\u00a0invited\u00a0to a\u00a0guided\u00a0tour\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0Museum\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0History\u00a0of\u00a0Lithuanian\u00a0Medicine\u00a0and\u00a0Pharmacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Programme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Venue – LSMU Faculty of Public Health, Til\u017e\u0117s St. 18, Building 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              09:30\u201310:00 <\/td>Registration<\/td><\/tr>
              10:00\u201311:30 <\/td>Practical\u00a0workshop
              Applying\u00a0Supportive\u00a0Health\u00a0Coaching\u00a0Methods\u00a0in\u00a0Clinical\u00a0Practice\u00a0(in\u00a0English).\u00a0
              Dr.\u202fKaren\u202fGregory\u2011Mercado,\u00a0Room\u00a0108.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
              10:00\u201311:30 <\/td>Practical\u00a0Workshop\u00a0on\u00a0Developing\u00a0Clinical\u00a0Reasoning\u00a0in\u00a0Lifestyle\u00a0Medicin (in\u00a0Lithuanian).\u00a0
              Part\u00a0I.\u00a0Room\u00a0334.\u00a0<\/em>

              Topics:\u00a0
              \u00b7 Analysis of real clinical cases integrating theoretical foundations of lifestyle medicine with practical clinical reasoning;
              \u00b7 Assessment of connections between lifestyle factors and the patient\u2019s diseases, symptoms, and clinical data;
              \u00b7 Development of an individualized, priority\u2011based lifestyle medicine intervention plan;
              \u00b7 Analysis of mechanisms of action of lifestyle medicine interventions and their clinical justification;
              \u00b7 Identification of potential barriers, risks, patient engagement factors, and real\u2011life feasibility of interventions;
              \u00b7 Creation of a practical and individualized solutions menu;
              \u00b7 Sharing professional experience and exploring the most rational solutions.<\/td><\/tr>
              10:00\u201311:30<\/td>Practical Workshop on Nutrition
              Beyond Diets: Individualised Nutrition Strategies for Obesity and Chronic Disease (in English).
              Dr. Vilma Kriau\u010dionien\u0117, Dr. Danuta Gajewska and Dr. Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak. Part I. Room 101. <\/em>

              Topics:
              \u00b7 Brief theoretical introduction: obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease and its links with other chronic conditions;
              \u00b7 Clinical case and holistic nutrition assessment;
              \u00b7 Identification of nutrition priorities and safety considerations; contrasting weight-focused advice with sustainable, health-focused care;
              \u00b7 Evidence-informed nutrition options for obesity and coexisting chronic disease: an individualised \u201cmenu of options\u201d with clinical rationale;
              \u00b7 Group task: assess dietary intake, justify priority nutrition changes, identify barriers and enabling factors, and draft a patient-centred SMART goal.<\/td><\/tr>
              11:30\u201312:30 <\/td>Lunch break<\/td><\/tr>
              12:30\u201314:00 <\/td>Practical\u00a0workshop
              Applying\u00a0Supportive\u00a0Health\u00a0Coaching\u00a0Methods\u00a0in\u00a0Clinical\u00a0Practice\u00a0(in\u00a0English).\u00a0
              Dr.\u202fKaren\u202fGregory\u2011Mercado.\u00a0Part\u00a0II.\u00a0Room\u00a0108.\u00a0<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
              12:30 \u2013 14:00 <\/td>Practical Workshop on Developing Clinical Reasoning in Lifestyle Medicine (in Lithuanian). Part II. Room 334.

              Topics:
              \u00b7 Analysis of real clinical situations, integrating theoretical foundations of lifestyle medicine with practical clinical reasoning.
              \u00b7 Assessment of the relationships between lifestyle factors and the patient\u2019s diseases, symptoms, and clinical data.
              \u00b7 Development of an individualized, priority\u2011based lifestyle medicine intervention plan.
              \u00b7 Analysis of the mechanisms of action of lifestyle medicine interventions and their clinical justification.
              \u00b7 Identification of potential barriers, risks, patient engagement factors, and real\u2011life feasibility of interventions.
              \u00b7 Creation of a menu of practical and individualized solutions.
              \u00b7 Sharing professional experience and exploring the most rational solutions.<\/td><\/tr>
              12:30 \u2013 14:00<\/td>Practical Workshop on Nutrition
              Beyond Diets: Individualised Nutrition Strategies for Obesity and Chronic Disease (in English).
              Dr. Vilma Kriau\u010dionien\u0117, Dr. Danuta Gajewska and Dr. Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak. Part II. Room 101. <\/em>

              Topics:
              \u00b7 Responding to the patient who views a restrictive diet as the only route to weight loss;
              \u00b7 Refining feasible recommendations through shared decision-making and motivational communication; consider barriers, resources, confidence and support;
              \u00b7 Adapting nutrition options to comorbidities, safety and the patient\u2019s life context;
              \u00b7 Finalising a patient-owned SMART goal and simple follow-up plan;
              \u00b7 Case presentations and comparison of clinical reasoning;
              \u00b7 Facilitated feedback, discussion and key take-home messages.<\/td><\/tr>
              15:30 <\/td>Guided tour at the Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t \t\t