Understanding Lifestyle Indicators Throughout the Life Course: Determinants, Correlates and Paths to Intervention

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 334

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040900, SC, Brazil
Interests: Physical activity; sedentary behavior; sleep patterns; obesity; epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Understanding Lifestyle Indicators Throughout the Life Course: Determinants, Correlates and Paths to Intervention”, aims to advance knowledge on key lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep patterns, dietary habits, substance use (e.g., tobacco and alcohol), stress management, and others, and their associations with health outcomes across different stages of life. These behaviors are among the leading modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases and premature mortality worldwide, making their study crucial for informing public health actions and improving population well-being.Understanding how these behaviors develop, interact, and can be modified is essential for building more effective, equitable, and sustainable health systems. This Special Issue welcomes submissions from fields such as public health, preventive medicine, epidemiology, clinical sciences, behavioral sciences, and health education.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions that explore the determinants and correlates of lifestyle indicators, as well as the development and evaluation of intervention strategies. Studies focusing on children, adolescents, adults, and/or older populations are equally encouraged.

We invite original research articles, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses that employ various study designs, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, case–control, interventional, and randomized controlled trials. Submissions that provide insights into how lifestyle behaviors interact with social, environmental, and biological factors to influence health are particularly relevant.

By gathering evidence from diverse populations and contexts, this Special Issue seeks to support evidence-based strategies that promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden of preventable diseases on society.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Diego Augusto Santos Silva
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • lifestyle behaviors
  • physical activity
  • sedentary behavior
  • sleep patterns
  • dietary habits
  • substance use
  • health promotion
  • chronic disease prevention
  • life course
  • behavioral interventions

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 278 KB  
Article
Association Between 24-Hour Movement Behaviors and Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases Among Adult and Older Adult Users of the Brazilian Community Health Promotion Program
by Yuri Silva de Souza, Carlos Alencar Souza Alves Junior and Diego Augusto Santos Silva
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162016 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 221
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of global mortality among adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between adherence to 24 h movement behavior guidelines and the diagnosis of NCDs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of global mortality among adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association between adherence to 24 h movement behavior guidelines and the diagnosis of NCDs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with users of the Health Academy Program in Brazil. The sample consisted of 1212 individuals (92.9% female), aged 18 years or older. Dependent variables included self-reported hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular disease based on previous medical diagnosis. Independent variables (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) were self-reported. Binary and multinomial logistic regressions were performed and adjusted for sex, age, educational level, body mass index, and marital status. Results: Participants who did not meet any of the 24 h movement behavior recommendations had higher odds of hypertension (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.15–1.77), diabetes (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03–2.01), and having two (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.09–2.91) or three or more NCDs (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.11–2.13). Not meeting the physical activity recommendation was associated with higher odds of hypercholesterolemia (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.06–1.76). In contrast, meeting the physical activity guideline alone (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11–0.85) or in combination with adequate sleep (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11–0.90) was associated with lower odds of cardiovascular disease. All of these results remained significant after adjustments for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: Not meeting any of the 24 h movement behavior guidelines, especially those related to physical activity, was associated with a higher occurrence of NCDs. Full article
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