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Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 13128

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tara Coppinger

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Guest Editor

Department of Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies, Munster Technological University, Rossa Avenue, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland
Interests: physical activity; nutrition; intervention

Dr. Kristy Howells

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury CT1 1QU, UK
Interests: physical education; physical activity; physical development; mental health; health education; early movement; early childhood education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are very pleased to announce a Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health entitled “Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles Through Nutrition and Physical Activity”. We invite you to submit your original research, including reviews and short communications, on this interdisciplinary topic area.

The WHO (2013) global action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases identify that unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are key risk factors and that deaths and disease can be reduced worldwide by improving diets and increasing physical activity levels.

There are many factors that influence physical activity and nutrition, and these factors may include the family unit, support systems, educational systems, environment, socio-economic factors, government policies, as well as other factors. This Special Issue seeks to consider how healthier lifestyles, for all age ranges, can and are promoted through nutrition and physical activity. We are particularly interested in studies focusing on diet, hydration and physical activity. The studies could be research investigations, intervention programs; trend analysis; policy analysis or related to promotion, support and/or protection of physical activity and nutrition. We are excited about this Special Issue and we are looking to forward to receiving your high quality submissions.

Dr. Tara Coppinger
Dr. Kristy Howells
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. 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
Nutrition
Hydration
Diet
Healthy Lifestyles
Quality of Life
Wellbeing
Exercise

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From ToyBox Study to eToyBox: Advancing Childhood Obesity Reduction in Malaysian Kindergartens

by Sue Reeves, Bee Koon Poh, Yi Ting Chong, Julia Ai Cheng Lee, Whye Lian Cheah, Yatiman Noor Hafizah, Georgia Nelson, Abd Talib Ruzita, Denise Koh, Carolyn Summerbell, Cecilia A. Essau and Edward Leigh Gibson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166614 - 20 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Prevention and treatment of childhood obesity is a global concern, and in Malaysia, it is considered a national public health priority. Determinants of childhood obesity are multifactorial and include factors that directly and indirectly influence energy balance-related behaviours, including energy intake and energy expenditure. Interventions to address childhood obesity that have multiple components at different levels have been shown to be the most influential. The ToyBox-study is a childhood obesity intervention aimed at preschool-aged children and their families that had been shown to be effective in several European countries and so was chosen for adaption for the Malaysian setting. Materials were translated and adjusted for the Malaysian context and audience and implemented in kindergartens in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, teaching transitioned to being online. This brought an opportunity to reach a wider audience and consider the long-term sustainability of the intervention, and thus eToybox was born. eToybox aims to bring support for healthy energy balance behaviours directly to the teachers, into kindergartens and homes, to encourage families to be active and eat healthily, and prevent or reduce obesity. Through online innovation, the Toybox Study Malaysia programme has been expanded to enhance its potential to impact the promotion of healthy lifestyles among preschoolers and their families, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to preventing and treating childhood obesity in Malaysia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

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9 pages, 702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Well-Being of High-Level Managers during the Pandemic: The Role of Fear of Negative Appearance, Anxiety, and Eating Behaviors

by Anna Hryniewicz, Dominika Wilczyńska, Daniel Krokosz, Konrad Hryniewicz and Mariusz Lipowski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010637 - 30 Dec 2022

Viewed by 2187

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented changes in the contemporary world, significantly affecting the work of companies, especially management staff. This study investigated whether fear about one’s health (caused by the pandemic, disordered eating attitudes, or concerns about one’s body image) has a negative relationship with the well-being of managers. (2) Methods: N = 354 managers (222 women, 126 men, and 6 people with no gender identity) participated in the study. The following psychometric instruments were used: the psychological well-being scale, the coronavirus anxiety scale, the fear of negative appearance evaluation scale, and the eating attitude test-26. Results: the fear of negative appearance influenced the well-being of the studied managers. However, this relation was mediated by dieting as well as bulimia and food preoccupation. (4) Conclusions: the well-being level depended on the managers’ positive body images, but only when mediated by healthy dieting and eating attitudes. While the well-being level of managers was high, it is worth further exploring how they can flourish and develop in life and work, which can also transfer to the quality of life of their co-workers and companies. However, the subject of the well-being of managers warrants more research; for example, by considering different moderators, such as job experience, gender, and age. Moreover, experimental studies examining the effectiveness of different interventions for the physical and mental health of managers could be worth investigating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

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14 pages, 1638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conceptualising Inclusion and Participation in the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles

by Richard Peter Bailey and Suria Angit

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169917 - 11 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1819

Abstract

The central tension in health promotion is between a public health policy presumption that healthy lifestyles have benefits at both the individual and societal levels and should be assertively encouraged, and liberal demands that states should maintain a stance of non-interference concerning private affairs. This tension is heightened when the engagement of marginalised or disempowered groups, such as persons with disabilities, women, or immigrants, enter discussions. This paper examines the concept of inclusion within the context of the promotion of healthy lifestyles, primarily sport and physical activity in community contexts. Using a form of ‘reflective equilibrium’, it explores a series of distinctions to evaluate critically different accounts of inclusion and offers a novel and somewhat radical approach based on re-interpretations and alignments of participation and hegemonic relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

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10 pages, 366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Running in Natural Spaces: Gender Analysis of Its Relationship with Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Well-Being, and Physical Activity

by Yolanda Campos-Uscanga, Hannia Reyes-Rincón, Eduardo Pineda, Santiago Gibert-Isern, Saraí Ramirez-Colina and Vianey Argüelles-Nava

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6019; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106019 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Running is a complete and accessible physical exercise for the population, but little research has been done on the psychological and environmental variables related to its practice. The objective of this research was to determine how emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, and body dissatisfaction are related to running in natural spaces for men and women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 331 runners from 20 states of the Mexican Republic (55.3% women), between 18 and 80 years old (m = 37.4; SD = 11.5), with an average of 7 years running experience (SD = 9.3). The Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Body Shape Questionnaire were used. The results show that men who run in natural spaces have greater psychological well-being and emotional intelligence (stress management) and less body dissatisfaction, and they run more days per week than those who run in built spaces. Predictors of running in natural spaces were greater psychological well-being and emotional intelligence (stress management). On the other hand, women who run in natural spaces show lower emotional intelligence (stress management) and run for more minutes per day. The predictors for running in natural spaces were identified as lower emotional intelligence (stress management), running for more minutes per day, and practicing another physical exercise. In conclusion, in this heterogeneous sample, natural environments are likely to be related to better performance and certain psychological indicators for runners. However, these relationships differ between men and women, so further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

19 pages, 1489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Forgotten Age Phase of Healthy Lifestyle Promotion? A Preliminary Study to Examine the Potential Call for Targeted Physical Activity and Nutrition Education for Older Adolescents

by Kristy Howells and Tara Coppinger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105970 - 14 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2060

Abstract

To date, little research on healthy lifestyle promotion has focused on older adolescents (16–18-year-olds), yet this is a key time that habitual healthy lifestyles could be developed. Ninety-three participants (thirty-nine males; fifty-four females) (mean age = 16.9, (SD 0.4) years), from three low socio-economic high schools in England, completed an online questionnaire on their self-reported: (i) daily physical activity (PA), (ii) active transportation, (iii) active leisure time, (iv) food intake and (v) experiences of how healthy lifestyles are promoted specifically to them. Overall, 60% reached the daily PA recommended guidelines. Yet, 92% used a bicycle/walked for a least 10 min continuously as active transport and of these, 86% undertook this at least 5 days per week. Almost half undertook MVPA as active leisure, but 66% still spent ≥ 5 h sedentary. Seventeen percent met recommended nutritional guidelines for health and 90% (n = 80) did not report school as a place that promoted healthy lifestyles. It is recommended as a public health measure and as an educational policy matter that schools implement more targeted PA and healthy eating initiatives for older adolescents that also include the adolescent voice. Further, gaining a deeper insight into male older adolescents’ health literacy is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

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Other

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28 pages, 687 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

A Systematic Review of the Implementation and Effectiveness of ‘The Daily Mile’ on Markers of Children’s Health

by Luke Hanna, Con Burns, Cian O’Neill and Edward Coughlan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(13), 6203; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136203 - 22 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1604

Abstract

Currently, a high percentage of children globally fail to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended daily physical activity (PA) guidelines. The Daily Mile (TDM) is a school-based PA initiative, designed to improve primary school children’s PA behaviour. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the extant TDM implementation process and identify its impact on health-related metrics. Three databases were used to search for articles from the time TDM originated in 2012 until February 2022. The identification and screening process of articles for their ability to meet this review’s eligibility criteria were facilitated by use of PRISMA and Rayyan. Sixteen articles from the initial search (n = 202) were deemed eligible for inclusion. An analysis of these articles identified five common outcome categories that permeated throughout the research articles: (1) cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); (2) anthropometry and body composition; (3) PA; (4) cognition; and (5) process evaluation. Results presented from the included articles suggests TDM positively impacts markers of a variety of health-related metrics, namely CRF and PA. However, implementation barriers including TDM’s repetitive nature, time constraints associated with competing curriculum demands and inadequate facilities regularly necessitate the adaptation and development of the original TDM format by schools and teachers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles through Nutrition and Physical Activity)

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