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Scaling Up Physical Activity Interventions in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

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: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 4136

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Noël Christopher Barengo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Interests: diabetes prevention; diabetes epidemiology; public health; risk factors and lifestyle habits of chronic noncommunicable diseases; screening for type 2 diabetes; implementation science; dissemination science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases and promoting overall health. Scaling up physical activity interventions is critical in preventing chronic diseases, which account for a significant global health burden. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain cancers, and mental health disorders. However, the challenge lies in extending these interventions to reach larger populations effectively and sustainably. Well-designed interventions at scale can promote long-term health benefits, lower healthcare costs, and improve the quality of life for communities. Strategies include integrating physical activity into everyday environments like schools, workplaces, and urban planning. Leveraging digital technologies and community-based approaches also enhances accessibility and engagement.

Scaling up requires collaboration among governments, healthcare providers, and policymakers to ensure equitable access, especially in underserved regions. Prioritizing culturally relevant and evidence-based practices increases the likelihood of success. By addressing systemic barriers, scaling physical activity interventions can significantly reduce the global prevalence of chronic diseases and foster healthier societies. This Special Issue focuses on the experience of scaling up physical activity interventions and programs for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

Dr. Noël Christopher Barengo
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 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-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
  • strength training, aerobic exercise
  • physical activity guidelines
  • social determinants of health
  • non-communicable diseases
  • cardio-metabolic diseases

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 281 KB  
Article
The Association Between Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Meeting the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults in the U.S.
by Betty R. Sierra Tamargo, Pura Rodríguez de la Vega and Noël C. Barengo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23030344 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 541
Abstract
This study aimed to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with meeting the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines for older adults. This analytical, cross-sectional study used data from the 2022 NHIS, including 8189 older adults (≥65 years). Compliance with aerobic and strengthening PA [...] Read more.
This study aimed to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with meeting the recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines for older adults. This analytical, cross-sectional study used data from the 2022 NHIS, including 8189 older adults (≥65 years). Compliance with aerobic and strengthening PA guidelines was the main outcome variable. Covariates included sex, education, income, relationship status, race, housing stability, urban/rural county, health status, and region. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Only 14.4% (n = 1235) of older adults met the PA guidelines. Odds of complying decreased by 40% in NH single/multiple races (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–1.0). Men had higher odds (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.6) of adhering than women. Compared with those with a bachelor’s degree, the odds of adhering were 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.7) for graduate participants, 0.3 (95% CI 0.2–0.4) for participants with less than HS education, 0.4 (95% CI 0.3–0.5) for HS graduates, and 0.7 (95% CI 0.6–0.8) for those with some college education. The odds decreased by 40% for those with an income-to-poverty ratio threshold < 1 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.9), 1–1.99 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.7), and 2–3.99 (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5–0.8) compared with ≥5. Healthcare providers should develop targeted interventions to address individuals’ unique circumstances and reduce these inequities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaling Up Physical Activity Interventions in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)
24 pages, 2307 KB  
Article
Operationalizing Co-Design in Exercise Interventions with Indigenous Peoples in Australia: Development and Cultural Adaptation of the PrIDE Tools
by Morwenna Kirwan, Connie Henson, Blade Bancroft-Duroux, Kerri Colegate, Cheryl Taylor, David Meharg, Neale Cohen and Kylie Gwynne
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020252 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 848
Abstract
Indigenous Australians experience a disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. While clinician-led, community-based exercise programs are effective in general populations, limited peer-reviewed evidence is available describing culturally adapted exercise interventions with Indigenous Australians that transparently reports governance, cultural adaptation, [...] Read more.
Indigenous Australians experience a disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. While clinician-led, community-based exercise programs are effective in general populations, limited peer-reviewed evidence is available describing culturally adapted exercise interventions with Indigenous Australians that transparently reports governance, cultural adaptation, and theoretical design. This paper reports the co-design and development of tools for the Preventing Indigenous Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes through Exercise (PrIDE) study, an adaptation of the Beat It program that incorporates wearable technology. Using the Co-design Health Research and Innovation Model, four tools were developed with Indigenous governance through a Consumer Advisory Group and a project-specific Consumer User Panel. Three tools were culturally adapted—the PrIDE Exercise Program, the Strong Spirit Strong Self self-efficacy assessment, and Keep Your Heart Strong educational materials—and a newly developed tool, the Success Plan. Cultural adaptations were prospectively documented using the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact, and all tools were assessed using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool. Behavior change mechanisms were mapped using the COM-B model. This paper provides transparent documentation of culturally adapted theory-informed tool development to support reproducibility and knowledge translation. The evaluation of effectiveness, acceptability, and psychometric properties will be reported following PrIDE implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaling Up Physical Activity Interventions in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)
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22 pages, 559 KB  
Article
The Longitudinal Relationship Between Physical Functions and Cognitive Functions Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Primary Care
by Nan Hu, Wupeng Yin, Rabeya Illyas Noon and Noof Alabdullatif
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(6), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060908 - 6 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
(1) Background: Gait speed (GS) and handgrip strength (HGS) have been identified as factors in cognitive impairment, depression, sleep problems, and quality of life. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the longitudinal relationship between physical functions (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Gait speed (GS) and handgrip strength (HGS) have been identified as factors in cognitive impairment, depression, sleep problems, and quality of life. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the longitudinal relationship between physical functions (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive functions, as well as cognitive decline, in middle-aged and older adults in China. (2) Methods: Using longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we analyzed 1903 subjects aged 60 and above with repeated measurements of GS, and 4218 subjects aged 45 and above with repeated measurements of HGS. The cognitive functions we considered included drawing ability, word recall, TICS-10, and an overall cognitive score (OCS). Mixed-effect logistic and linear regression were used to analyze the association between GS/HGS and cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults with repeated measurements. (3) Results: A faster GS is associated with better drawing ability (OR = 1.33, p = 0.045) and TICS-10 (OR = 1.60, p = 0.024). A stronger HGS is associated with higher odds of drawing ability (OR = 1.36, p = 0.012) and better TICS-10 (OR = 1.41, p = 0.018). Both weak HGS and slow GS are significantly associated with a higher decline in cognitive function, while HGS is more predictive of the decline for women and GS is more predictive for men. (4) Conclusions: Both GS and HG are positively associated with cognitive functions cross-sectionally and longitudinally in middle-aged and older adults. Health interventions targeting HGS and GS may help improve cognitive functions. Future research is warranted to establish the causal relationship between these interventions and improvements in cognitive functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scaling Up Physical Activity Interventions in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases)
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