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Geriatrics
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Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction...
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Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition)

A Special Issue of Geriatrics (ISSN 2308-3417) belonging to the section "Healthy Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 May 2026) | Viewed by 7405

Editors

Dr. Alice Masini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont Amedeo Avogadro, 28100 Novara, Italy
Interests: lifestyle medicine; health promotion and prevention interventions; physical activity and nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Panella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine (DiMeT), Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Interests: patient safety; clinical pathways; quality in healthcare; healthcare planning and organization; lifestyle medicine and safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Population ageing continues to be one of the most significant challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Known as the third demographic transition, it is projected that by 2050, the global population aged 65 and over will double. The World Health Organization defines healthy ageing as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.” This demographic shift requires healthcare systems to go beyond traditional disease management models and embrace new paradigms rooted in prevention, health promotion, and lifestyle medicine. The growing demand for holistic and person-centred approaches calls for multidisciplinary strategies that address the complex needs of older adults and support them in maintaining autonomy, resilience, and quality of life.

This second edition of our Special Issue builds on these foundations by calling for cutting-edge research and forward-thinking perspectives. We invite contributions that explore innovative frameworks, technologies, interventions, and policy models aimed at promoting active and healthy ageing at all levels—individual, community, and systemic.

We welcome a broad range of submissions, including original research, systematic and narrative reviews, short reports, policy commentaries, and case studies. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Novel applications of lifestyle medicine in adult and older adults;
  • Digital tools and AI for ageing in place;
  • Community-based interventions for health promotion;
  • Workplace intervention for health promotion and prevention;
  • Strategies to reduce health inequalities in ageing populations;
  • Interdisciplinary approaches to support functional ability and well-being.

Your contributions will help shape the ongoing discourse on ageing and offer valuable insights for improving longevity, health equity, and life satisfaction in older age.

Dr. Alice Masini
Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Panella
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geriatrics 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 1800 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

  • active aging
  • healthy ageing
  • aging population
  • longevity
  • lifestyle medicine
  • healthcare
  • healthcare workers
  • care model
  • policy
  • quality of life
  • well-being
  • safety
  • systematic reviews
  • scoping reviews
  • narrative reviews
  • observational studies
  • quasi-experimental studies
  • randomized control trials
  • qualitative study
  • mixed methods research

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  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2212 KB  
Article
Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Factors Associated with Body Composition and Protein Intake in Institutionalized Older Adults from Three Long-Term Care Facilities in Loja, Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Ana Sofía Vivanco-Zárate, Mateo Julián Sánchez-Sánchez and Estefanía Bautista-Valarezo
Geriatrics 2026, 11(5), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics11050115 - 31 Aug 2026
Viewed by 373
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a common public health problem in older adults and is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, particularly in institutionalized populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in institutionalized older adults, assess the adequacy of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a common public health problem in older adults and is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, particularly in institutionalized populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in institutionalized older adults, assess the adequacy of protein intake in terms of quantity and quality, and identify factors associated with its presence. Methods: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in three institutional care homes in Loja canton, Ecuador, between 2024 and 2025. A total of 44 older adults aged ≥65 years were included. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the EWGSOP2 criteria, and protein intake was assessed using the direct food-weighing method over three days. Descriptive, comparative, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The prevalence of confirmed and severe sarcopenia was 61.3%. Severe sarcopenia was more frequent in men, whereas probable sarcopenia was more frequent in women. Participants with sarcopenia presented with lower skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and muscle strength. Protein intake was generally insufficient compared with international recommendations, although protein quality was predominantly high or very high. Higher skeletal muscle mass and higher body mass index were independently associated with a lower likelihood of sarcopenia. Conclusions: Sarcopenia in institutionalized older adults appears to be more closely associated with body composition and overall nutritional status than with protein quantity or quality alone. These findings support a comprehensive approach to the prevention and management of sarcopenia that combines adequate nutrition with tailored physical exercise interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition))
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18 pages, 1717 KB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of a Digital Reading Program on Apathy Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Rural Canada: Insights from Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
by Aderonke Agboji, Shannon Freeman, Davina Banner, Joshua Armstrong, Melinda Martin-Khan and Alexandria Freeman-Idemilih
Geriatrics 2026, 11(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics11010001 - 24 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Apathy, characterized by diminished motivation and reduced engagement in goal-directed behavior, is a prevalent concern among older adults, particularly in rural communities where opportunities for meaningful engagement may be limited. This study explores the preliminary impact of an in-person eBook club program [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Apathy, characterized by diminished motivation and reduced engagement in goal-directed behavior, is a prevalent concern among older adults, particularly in rural communities where opportunities for meaningful engagement may be limited. This study explores the preliminary impact of an in-person eBook club program on apathy among community-dwelling older adults in Northern British Columbia. Methods: This eight-week pilot single-group, pre-post mixed-methods study combined the use of eReaders to access weekly reading materials with facilitated in-person group discussions designed to foster emotional and social connection. Apathy was assessed using the 3-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-3A) before and after the program. Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed a statistically significant reduction in apathy scores (Z = −4.01, p < 0.001), with a large effect size (r = 0.76). While not powered for hypothesis testing, these findings suggest the program may have a meaningful effect. Qualitative analysis of participants who reported higher baseline apathy scores identified three key mechanisms of change: positivity effect, selective pruning of social networks, and adaptive coping, consistent with socioemotional selectivity theory. Conclusions: These preliminary results support the feasibility and potential value of theory-informed, low-cost group reading programs for addressing apathy in older adults and can inform the design of a larger, controlled study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition))
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11 pages, 257 KB  
Article
Exploring the Effect of Social Media and Group Chat Use on Social Isolation Among the Older Adults: A Study in Urban Japan
by Yohei Sekikawa, Masafumi Kunishige, Taichi Hitomi and Kazumi Kikuchi
Geriatrics 2025, 10(5), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics10050131 - 13 Oct 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2995
Abstract
Background: Although research has been conducted on older adults and social media, the relationship between social media use and social isolation remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between social isolation and the frequency of use of social media and group [...] Read more.
Background: Although research has been conducted on older adults and social media, the relationship between social media use and social isolation remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between social isolation and the frequency of use of social media and group chats. Methods: We measured social isolation using the Japanese version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) in 411 older adults people living in urban areas. We used a questionnaire to survey their use of social networking services (SNS) such as LINE, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and their use of group chats. A separate questionnaire surveyed frequency of and participation in group chats. We analyzed associations between variables with logistic regression and a chi-squared test. Results: The most used service was LINE, with 51.3% of users participating in group chat. The analysis did not show an association between frequency of social media use and social isolation. However, group chat use, especially in groups of friends and acquaintances, was significantly negatively associated with social isolation (OR = 0.30, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed that LINE group chats may ameliorate social isolation among older adults. It also suggests that research focusing on its content and usage is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition))

Review

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23 pages, 365 KB  
Review
Behavioral Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Among Dementia Caregivers: A Narrative Review of Behavior Theory, Behavior Change Techniques, and Mechanisms of Behavior Change
by Ashley M. Goodwin, Alex Makhnevich, Karina W. Davidson, Liron Sinvani and Mark J. Butler
Geriatrics 2026, 11(5), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics11050120 - 3 Sep 2026
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Background: Due to the rise in Alzheimer disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD) in an aging population, millions of caregivers will be at risk for physical and mental health decline. As those they care for already have physical and cognitive impairment, it is [...] Read more.
Background: Due to the rise in Alzheimer disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD) in an aging population, millions of caregivers will be at risk for physical and mental health decline. As those they care for already have physical and cognitive impairment, it is crucial that caregivers maintain health-promoting behaviors. Because regular physical activity (PA) prevents functional loss and improves physical health and well-being, understanding how to help caregivers adopt and sustain PA despite unique time, caregiving, and self-efficacy barriers is a pressing public-health priority. Existing health-promoting interventions among dementia caregivers, including PA, have demonstrated limited success. To overcome the fragmentation and slow synthesis of behavioral science evidence, the Human Behavior-Change Project advocates theoretical grounding, systematic mapping of intervention components (e.g., behavior change techniques [BCTs]) using standardized taxonomies, and explicit specification of mechanisms of behavior change (MoBCs). Objective: To examine the limited success of health-promotion interventions among dementia caregivers we aimed to conduct a narrative review to synthesize evidence from interventions that evaluated PA in dementia caregivers across three domains: (1) use of behavioral theory to inform intervention design, (2) specification of BCTs, and (3) identification and measurement of MoBCs. Methods: Two scientific databases were searched to identify representative studies and reviews, using key terms including “physical activity”, “intervention”, “dementia”, and “caregiver” from inception to July 2025. Results: Seven primary intervention trials and six reviews were selected for inclusion. Gaps across the domains were identified to inform priority areas for future research. Conclusions: There is a need to develop tailored, theory-driven PA interventions that target empirically supported BCTs and MoBCs to improve dementia caregivers’ health and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition))
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14 pages, 597 KB  
Review
How Gut Microbiota Influence Healthy Aging: Overview of Reviews
by Tejas Ganesh Todmal, Rabia Bibi, Giovanni Cangelosi, Massimiliano Panella and Alice Masini
Geriatrics 2026, 11(4), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics11040107 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 985
Abstract
Background: Gut microbiota plays a key role in the aging process, with age-related microbial shifts contributing to chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, frailty, and cognitive decline. Despite growing interest, an integrated synthesis of how diet and lifestyle modifications influence gut microbiota remains limited. [...] Read more.
Background: Gut microbiota plays a key role in the aging process, with age-related microbial shifts contributing to chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, frailty, and cognitive decline. Despite growing interest, an integrated synthesis of how diet and lifestyle modifications influence gut microbiota remains limited. This overview of reviews summarizes the current evidence on how dietary and lifestyle interventions shape microbial composition and affect aging outcomes. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed and Scopus for English-language reviews (January 2023–October 2025) including human adults aged ≥ 18 years, evaluating dietary or lifestyle interventions, and reporting gut microbiota with healthy-aging outcomes. Quality of the reviews was appraised using the SANRA tool. Results: Mediterranean and plant-based diets, calorie restriction, and microbiota-targeted approaches such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation were associated with increases in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia muciniphila, while reducing pro-inflammatory taxa. These changes were linked to improved metabolic and immune function, reduced inflammaging, lower frailty, and greater physical resilience. Cognitive benefits included decreased neuroinflammation and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Conclusions: Maintaining microbial balance through targeted dietary strategies may support healthier, more resilient aging, offering practical insights for public health and clinical nutrition planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Ageing and Lifestyle Medicine: Current Knowledge and Future Direction (2nd Edition))
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