The Impact of Physical Activity on Health Outcomes and Body Image
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 24
Special Issue Editor
Interests: psychiatry; psychosomatics; eating disorders; sexual orientation; gender dysphoria
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Physical activity represents a cornerstone for promoting health, preventing disease, and improving psychological well-being. Beyond its well-known effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health, regular physical activity also plays a crucial role in shaping body image, self-esteem, and mental health outcomes. Research in recent years has highlighted how exercise and movement behaviors can function as protective factors against the development of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety but can also contribute to risks when physical activity becomes excessive or compulsive.
The aim of this Special Issue is to collect high-quality research exploring the complex interplay between physical activity, health outcomes, and body image across diverse populations. We particularly welcome studies adopting multidisciplinary approaches, including psychiatry, psychology, public health, and sports sciences, that investigate both the beneficial and maladaptive roles of physical activity. Contributions may address preventive interventions, clinical and community settings, and the role of sociocultural and gender factors in shaping individuals’ relationships with their bodies through exercise.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and theoretical contributions that advance our understanding of how physical activity can support health and body image, as well as the challenges arising when exercise behaviors become harmful.
Dr. Paolo Meneguzzo
Guest Editor
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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2500 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
- physical activity
- body image
- eating disorders
- compulsive exercise
- mental health
- gender differences
- health promotion
- psychosomatics
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