Highlights for Children and Young People (CYP) from BSLM2026

#BSLM26 – Highlights for Children and Young People (CYP)

As Co-Chair of the BSLM Paediatrics Special Interest Group, it was a huge pleasure to take to the stage at #BSLM26 to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of paediatric lifestyle medicine. One of the joys of this conference is that while children and young people do not always occupy the largest space on the programme, their relevance is everywhere. Whether speakers were discussing obesity, inequalities, social media, nature, behaviour change, education, microbiomes or planetary health, the implications for children were impossible to miss.

My session, Hot Topics in Paediatric Lifestyle Medicine, focused on some of the major issues shaping child health today. These included the rise of ultra-processed foods, youth vaping, the effects of digital technology and social media on wellbeing, nature prescribing, climate and planetary health, sleep, and the crucial importance of the first 1,001 days. Perhaps the most provocative question posed was whether smartphones may prove to be “the new tobacco” of a generation, not because they are identical in risk, but because society continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of a technology that has become deeply embedded in everyday life before we fully understand its health impacts.

The central message of the talk was optimistic. Despite significant challenges, paediatric lifestyle medicine has never been more relevant, more evidence-based, or more needed.

That theme echoed throughout the conference.

It’s not lifestyle medicine versus medicine

One of the strongest messages from the conference was that lifestyle medicine should not be viewed as an alternative to conventional healthcare.

Camille Hirons highlighted the stark reality that most ill health is driven by non-communicable disease and that poverty remains one of the most powerful predictors of poor health. Meanwhile, Sheetal Ladva reminded delegates that:

“Lifestyle medicine is a team sport.” and perhaps more importantly: “The goal is not fewer medicines. The goal is better health.”

For those working with children and young people, this is a particularly important distinction. Lifestyle medicine is not about replacing medication for asthma, ADHD, diabetes or epilepsy. Rather, it is about recognising that sleep, nutrition, movement, stress, social connection, nature and environment all contribute to outcomes and deserve attention alongside conventional treatments.

Childhood Health starts long before the clinic

A recurring theme throughout #BSLM26 was the importance of looking upstream.

As clinicians, we often meet children at the point where a problem has become visible. Yet many of the drivers sit much further back in the story. Poverty, housing, food insecurity, education, access to green space and opportunities for physical activity all profoundly influence lifelong health.

The Marmot City work presented from Coventry was a powerful reminder that creating healthier children requires creating healthier communities. Whether through PlayZones, community co-production or improving neighbourhood environments, many of the solutions to childhood ill health lie outside hospital walls.

Or put another way: prescribing 30 plant points is considerably easier than ensuring every family can afford them.

The digital dilemma

Social media and digital technology featured repeatedly across the conference.

Clare Neiland and Ellen Fallows both highlighted an uncomfortable truth:

If healthcare professionals are not present in the digital space, others will fill the gap.

Given that many young people now obtain health information from social media, there is a growing responsibility for healthcare professionals to engage constructively online (find me at drseb_paediatrics on Instagram!).

Joe Woof’s fascinating exploration of the attention economy illustrated why digital platforms can be so compelling. His analogy of the monkey unpredictably jumping out of a drawer resonated with many delegates. Variable rewards (or shocks) are memorable. They keep us checking. Much like social media notifications.

For those of us working with children and adolescents, understanding these behavioural mechanisms is becoming increasingly important.

Nature: the original prescription

One of the most refreshing themes of the conference was the growing recognition of nature as a health intervention.

Tristan Brodie revisited evidence showing improved recovery, wellbeing and sleep associated with exposure to natural environments. The message was simple but powerful: humans evolved outdoors.

For children, this may be particularly important. More time outdoors is associated with greater physical activity, improved mental wellbeing and better sleep. Early morning sunlight exposure was highlighted as a practical intervention that may help support healthier circadian rhythms.

In an era dominated by screens, perhaps some of our most sophisticated interventions are surprisingly simple.

Sometimes the prescription really is fresh air.

The microbiome gets dirty

The Microbiome Medics session was among the most engaging and practical of the conference.

Delegates learned about the fascinating links between soil health, food systems, microbial diversity and human health. Discussions ranged from postbiotics and gut barrier function to the practicalities of making sauerkraut at home.

The phrase:

“Under the brine and always fine” may not yet have made it into any NICE guideline, but it was certainly memorable.

For CYP health professionals, the broader message was clear: encouraging diverse, fibre-rich diets with plenty of plant foods and fewer ultra-processed foods remains one of the most evidence-based lifestyle interventions available.

Thinking beyond weight

One of the standout sessions from a CYP perspective came from Grace O’Malley.

Her message was that we should think of “obesities” rather than a single condition called obesity. With more than 190 recognised drivers of excess weight, simplistic explanations are neither accurate nor helpful.

Particularly welcome was the emphasis on health gain rather than weight loss.

This aligns closely with modern paediatric practice, where physical health, emotional wellbeing, sleep, function and quality of life are often far more meaningful outcomes than the number displayed on a scale.

Education and the future workforce

Day three showcased exciting developments in lifestyle medicine education.

Chris Sanders and Kate Woolley highlighted work to integrate lifestyle medicine into undergraduate medical curricula. Given the intense pressures on teaching time, this remains challenging, but progress is clearly happening.

The analogy of lifestyle medicine as the landscape through which all specialties travel was particularly apt. Some clinicians may focus on mountains, others on lakes, but everyone is influenced by the same sunlight, air, weather and terrain.

That feels equally true for children’s health.

Looking ahead

The conference also marked an important transition for BSLM leadership.

It was inspiring to hear outgoing President Alex Maxwell reflect on his tenure whilst also sharing his aspiration to one day become Children’s Commissioner. Knowing Alex’s passion and commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, this feels like a realistic ambition rather than merely a distant aspiration.

At the same time, there is genuine excitement about Clare Neiland stepping into the presidency. Clare has been a strong advocate for evidence-based lifestyle medicine, communication and public engagement, and the future looks bright for continued growth across BSLM.
For those of us involved in the Paediatrics SIG, there has never been a more exciting time to be involved. The conversations happening across BSLM increasingly recognise that lifelong health begins in childhood and that prevention should start early.

If any of the themes above resonate with you, whether you are a paediatrician, GP, nurse, allied health professional, educator or student, we would love you to join us. The BSLM Paediatrics Special Interest Group continues to grow, bringing together passionate professionals committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people through evidence-based lifestyle medicine.

Because ultimately, the future of healthcare is not just about helping adults live longer.

It’s about helping today’s children grow up healthier in the first place.