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Nutrition and Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 February 2026 | Viewed by 2084

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Interests: exercise; nutrition; muscle biochemistry; chronic diseases; hypoxia; mitochondria

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Guest Editor
Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Interests: the influence of habitual eating habits and physical activity on health and performance; the detrimental effects of excess sugar consumption and the influence of non-nutritive sweeteners in sugar withdrawal and recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide continues to impact individuals’ quality of life and strain healthcare systems. Addressing this challenge requires the development of more effective and innovative strategies for prevention and treatment. Nutrition plays a critical role in optimising metabolic health and acts as a protective shield against chronic diseases. Additionally, exercise has gained widespread recognition as an essential "medicine" for the prevention and treatment of these conditions.

This Special Issue aims to explore the unique effects of nutrition, exercise, and their combination in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Studies included in this Special Issue should cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the distinct and synergistic effects of dietary interventions and exercise, as well as the roles of micro- and macronutrients in metabolic processes. Research on cultural dietary and exercise practices, along with the potential of personalised nutrition and exercise strategies, is also welcome to be submitted.

This Special Issue aims to not only expand the scientific body of knowledge but also provide individuals and communities with valuable insights and pathways to combat chronic diseases. By highlighting the transformative potential of nutrition and exercise, the contributions within this Special Issue should aim to open up new horizons to achieve global health goals. We warmly invite researchers to contribute their original and innovative studies on nutrition and exercise to this exciting endeavor to advance the scientific literature.

Dr. Xu (Sean) Yan
Dr. Kieron Rooney
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • exercise
  • training
  • physical activity
  • micronutrients and macronutrients
  • chronic diseases
  • dietary supplements
  • metabolic health
  • diet and exercise
  • personalised nutrition
  • habitual eating
  • cultural dietary habits
  • hormonal balance
  • inflammation
  • cardiovascular health
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • biochemical mechanisms

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 869 KB  
Article
A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial of Nutrition and Exercise Education with Dietary Supplementation for Sarcopenia Prevention in Korean Baby Boomers
by Eun-Hee Jang and Seungmin Lee
Nutrients 2025, 17(18), 3008; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17183008 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a major public health concern, and early preventive strategies in midlife are increasingly emphasized. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week lifestyle intervention that included nutrition education, exercise education, and dietary supplementation in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a major public health concern, and early preventive strategies in midlife are increasingly emphasized. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week lifestyle intervention that included nutrition education, exercise education, and dietary supplementation in Korean baby boomers. Methods: This single-blind, randomized controlled trial included 42 Korean baby boomers born between 1955 and 1963. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) nutrition and exercise education plus dietary supplementation (DiExSp), (2) nutrition and exercise education only (DiEx), or (3) control. The intervention was delivered online, and the DiExSp group additionally received a daily supplement containing protein, vitamins, and minerals. Primary outcomes included dietary intake, body composition, physical function, and fasting blood biomarkers. Nonparametric tests and effect size calculations were performed using SAS version 9.4. Results: A total of 31 participants completed the study. The results showed significant increases in protein and micronutrient intake (p < 0.05), with large effect sizes in the DiExSp group. Handgrip strength showed improvement in both the DiExSp and DiEx groups (DiExSp: p = 0.027, r = 0.63; DiEx: p = 0.020, r = 0.73), while no changes were observed in other physical parameters. HbA1c levels showed a significant decrease in the DiExSp group compared to the control (p < 0.05, ε2 = 0.01). No significant differences were observed for other biomarkers. Conclusions: A 12-week intervention combining dietary supplementation with education resulted in improved dietary intake, muscle strength, and glycemic control. However, most effects were confined to within-group changes. Between-group differences were minimal, and effect sizes were small. These findings provide preliminary evidence that lifestyle intervention strategies may contribute to sarcopenia prevention in midlife adults. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 748 KB  
Review
The Role of Plant-Based Nutrition and Exercise in Metabolic Syndrome: A Narrative Review
by James Stavitz, Ryan Porcelli and Jennifer Gentile
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1498; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091498 - 29 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent health condition characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions, particularly plant-based nutrition and exercise, are essential for managing MetS. While both strategies [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent health condition characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle interventions, particularly plant-based nutrition and exercise, are essential for managing MetS. While both strategies are well-documented independently, their synergistic effects remain less explored. This narrative review integrates findings from both domains to evaluate their combined impact on metabolic syndrome. The review examines the individual and combined impacts of plant-based nutrition and exercise on MetS-related metabolic dysfunction. Methods: A comprehensive review of 114 peer-reviewed studies was conducted to assess the role of plant-based diets and structured physical activity in improving insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, inflammation, and weight management. Studies investigating the mechanisms through which dietary components and exercise modalities influence metabolic health were analyzed, along with behavioral and psychological factors affecting long-term adherence. Results: Plant-based diets, particularly those high in fiber, polyphenols, and healthy fats, improve glucose metabolism, reduce inflammation, and enhance cardiovascular health. Exercise complements these benefits by increasing insulin sensitivity, promoting fat oxidation, and improving lipid metabolism. When combined, plant-based nutrition and exercise provide superior metabolic outcomes, including greater reductions in visceral adiposity, improved endothelial function, and enhanced glycemic control. Conclusions: Plant-based nutrition and structured exercise are effective strategies for managing MetS. Their synergistic effects highlight the importance of integrated lifestyle interventions for long-term metabolic health. Full article
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