Should nutrition, chronic disease have greater emphasis in physician training? LCME considers change

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) has opened a public comment period for a revision to include more training about nutrition in the curricula of American medical schools.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has endorsed the addition of more information on the “role of nutrition in prevention and management of chronic disease.”

“Good nutrition is essential to preventing and managing chronic disease, and this increased focus in medical training will ensure physicians are fully equipped to help patients live healthier lives,” AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, said in a news release.

“While nutrition has long been part of medical school curricula, this proposal moves beyond checking a box to making sure graduates put that knowledge into practice with clear expectations and measurable outcomes,” he said. “The AMA looks forward to working with medical schools to develop nutrition education that will benefit our patients.”

The AMA statement said the change would align with its policy advocating for evidence-based nutrition instruction throughout undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education. While U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., at times has a contentious relationship with physicians, AMA also praised his advocacy on this topic.

“The AMA commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Kennedy for prioritizing nutrition in physician training to improve patient health outcomes,” the association’s news release said.

The change would fall under LCME’s Element 7.3 (health promotion and health maintenance). It states: “The medical education curriculum includes content focused on factors that affect the ability to promote and maintain health across the life cycle. This content includes the role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic disease, and other challenges to wellness associated with common societal problems.”

The role of nutrition is considered a new topic because it is not explicitly included in the 2025-2026 Element.

The public comment period would run through Jan. 7, 2026. More information is available here.