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Nutrients
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Nutrition, Physical Activity and Women’s Health
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Nutrition, Physical Activity and Women’s Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition in Women".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 10621

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Małgorzata Mizgier

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Sports Dietetics, Chair of Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznan, Poland
Interests: diet, nutrition, and physical activity in obstetrics and gynecology; lifestyle; women’s health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xuewen Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Exercise Science, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St., PHRC 301, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Interests: women’s health; aging; metabolism; physical activity; sleep
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lifestyle impacts women’s health, including obstetrics and gynecological conditions, and during adolescence and adulthood. One of the solutions for the prevention and control of these disorders may be appropriate nutrition and physical activity.

This Special Issue is dedicated to fostering a more comprehensive understanding of how nutrition and physical activity impact women’s health, with far-reaching consequences in obstetrics and gynecology.

This Special Issue aims to present original papers and reviews on all aspects of women’s health. Research on the relation of nutrition and physical activity to obstetrics and gynecology conditions is highly welcomed.

Dr. Małgorzata Mizgier
Dr. Xuewen Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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

  • women’s health
  • adolescence
  • reproduction
  • pregnancy
  • birth outcomes
  • fertility
  • menopause
  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • dysmenorrhea
  • premenstrual syndrome
  • endometriosis
  • obstetrics and gynecology
  • nutrition
  • diet
  • physical activity
  • lifestyle

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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19 pages, 816 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Adolescent Basketball Players Related to Dietary, Hormonal, and Immuno-Metabolic Factors and Disordered Eating Attitudes
by Małgorzata Mizgier, Barbara Więckowska, Veronica Sansoni, Amir Mohammad Malvandi, Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka, Michalina Drejza, Kinga Mruczyk, Angelika Cisek-Woźniak and Giovanni Lombardi
Nutrients 2025, 17(7), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071190 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a condition characterized by painful pelvic cramps onsetting shortly before menses and lasting for 3 days, negatively impacting the quality of life of young females. Further, menstrual cycle disorders are common in athletes. This study investigated differences in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a condition characterized by painful pelvic cramps onsetting shortly before menses and lasting for 3 days, negatively impacting the quality of life of young females. Further, menstrual cycle disorders are common in athletes. This study investigated differences in dietary habits, hormonal and immuno-metabolic parameters, and susceptibility to disordered eating attitudes (DEAs) between dysmenorrheic (D group) and non-dysmenorrheic (no-D group) young female basketball players. It also aimed to identify risk factors for PD, focusing on nutrition, anthropometric parameters, and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: The study included 25 female basketball players (mean age: 16 years), categorized into D and no-D groups. Blood samples were analyzed for hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory markers, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, cortisol, prolactin, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, lipid profile, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Dietary intake was assessed via a three-day food record, and DEA susceptibility was evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Logistic regression identified independent PD risk factors. Results: The D group had significantly higher EAT-26 scores and prolactin and cortisol levels than the no-D group (p = 0.0284, p = 0.0108, p = 0.0035, respectively). Elevated prolactin, cortisol, and EAT-26 scores were associated with increased PD risk (OR = 1.75; OR = 1.02; OR = 1.14). Conclusions: Female basketball players with PD show higher prolactin and cortisol levels and greater DEA susceptibility. These factors may contribute to PD risk, warranting further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Physical Activity and Women’s Health)
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20 pages, 1349 KiB  
Article
Impact of Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training on Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Inflammation and Hormonal Modulation
by Min-Yi Yang, Hao-Yu Chen, Chi-Hong Ho and Wen-Ching Huang
Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040622 - 9 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Background: Dysmenorrhea, categorized as primary (PD) or secondary (SD), significantly affects females during their reproductive years, impairing quality of life, performance, and social relationships. Alongside medical treatment, exercise and probiotics are complementary measures for managing PD and promoting health. This study examined [...] Read more.
Background: Dysmenorrhea, categorized as primary (PD) or secondary (SD), significantly affects females during their reproductive years, impairing quality of life, performance, and social relationships. Alongside medical treatment, exercise and probiotics are complementary measures for managing PD and promoting health. This study examined the impact of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on PD severity, physiological modulation, and physical fitness. Methods: Participants, recruited according to the primary dysmenorrhea criteria, were divided into non-PD (control) and PD groups, with the PD group further classified into dysmenorrhea (Dysmen), dysmenorrhea with probiotics (DysmenPro), dysmenorrhea with exercise (DysmenEx), and dysmenorrhea with both (DysmenExPro). Interventions included 10 weeks of HIIT and probiotics. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included questionnaires on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, physical fitness evaluations, and blood sample analyses for biochemical, hormonal, and prostaglandin levels. Results: HIIT significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms, menstrual distress, and pain severity, likely due to hormone (estradiol, prolactin, progesterone, cortisol) modulation and decreased inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, PGE2, PGF2α). Cardiovascular endurance and explosive strength showed improvement through high-intensity interval training (HIIT), whereas probiotics had no significant effect on these aspects of physical fitness. While probiotics reduced premenstrual and menstrual distress symptoms, they had no notable impact on pain, inflammation, or hormone levels. Dysmenorrhea-related discomforts were correlated significantly with inflammation and hormones. Conclusions: The intervention strategy involving probiotics and HIIT exercise may be utilized as an alternative and complementary treatment to alleviate PD symptoms. Furthermore, this strategy could also be incorporated into educational health plans to promote women’s health and potentially prevent gynecological disorders in the adolescent population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Physical Activity and Women’s Health)
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42 pages, 2402 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in PCOS Management: A Systematic Review
by Rohit Gautam, Pratibha Maan, Anshu Jyoti, Anshu Kumar, Neena Malhotra and Taruna Arora
Nutrients 2025, 17(2), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020310 - 16 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8125
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Lifestyle changes are suggested as first-line interventions in managing PCOS. This systematic review aims to assess the scientific evidence [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Lifestyle changes are suggested as first-line interventions in managing PCOS. This systematic review aims to assess the scientific evidence regarding the role of lifestyle modifications (dietary changes, physical activity, and behavioral changes) in improving reproductive, anthropometric, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in women with PCOS. Dietary interventions such as foods with low glycemic index scores; caloric restrictions; high-fiber, omega three fatty acid-rich diets; ketogenic diets; Mediterranean diets; antioxidant-rich food; and anti-inflammatory diets improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance in women with PCOS. Physical activity, like aerobic and resistance exercise, enhances insulin sensitivity, helps weight loss, and improves metabolic and reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS. Further, behavioral and education modules can also be used to improve awareness, adherence, and the effectiveness of conventional treatment and to manage mental health issues related to PCOS. Collectively, lifestyle modifications not only improve the biochemical, hormonal, and anthropometric parameters in PCOS patients but also reduce the long-term risks of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition, Physical Activity and Women’s Health)
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