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Relationship Between Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Modern Lifestyles

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Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity and dietary habits are modifiable factors that play crucial roles in human development and overall health. Low levels of physical activity and poor dietary choices contribute to increased morbidity and mortality by inducing metabolic disorders (such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) and sarcopenia. They are also associated with negative mental health impacts and reduced quality-of-life indicators.

Contemporary living environments, despite offering unprecedented access to scientific knowledge about balanced nutrition and the benefits of physical activity, are not always conducive to the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices, either among healthy individuals or those living with chronic conditions. The dynamic development of technology, including digital media, contributes to prolonged sedentary behavior and an increase in poor dietary decisions. As a result, maintaining an appropriate balance between physical activity and healthy nutrition is becoming increasingly challenging at both individual and societal levels.

In light of this, we are seeking original research articles (including cross-sectional, longitudinal, or interventional studies), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to “Relationship Between Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Modern Lifestyles.” Expanding our understanding of this subject will help us to more easily identify the determinants of individual and population health and design more effective preventive and interventional strategies.

Dr. Elżbieta Cieśla
Guest Editor

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19 pages, 735 KB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Physical Activity, Muscle Mass and Protein-Rich Food Consumption with Functional Fitness in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

by Elżbieta Cieśla, Elżbieta Jasińska and Edyta Suliga

Nutrients 2026, 18(10), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101548 - 13 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, characterised by high variability in both its progression and symptoms. The disease leads to progressive disability, which manifests itself as slow walking, low muscle mass and impaired manual dexterity, causing difficulties in performing everyday activities and reducing a patient’s social activity and quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between muscle mass, physical activity and the food frequency of protein-rich products and the functional fitness of patients with MS. Methods: The study comprised 106 patients with MS (83 women and 23 men) aged 18–65 years. Measurements of their weight and body composition, motor function of the lower limbs using the Timed 25-Foot Walking Test (T25FW), and motor function of the upper limbs using the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and the Handgrip Strength (HGS) test were performed. Daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the consumption frequency of protein-rich products were also assessed. Results: Low muscle mass was associated with worse performance in the HGS test (non-dominant hand p = 0.001, dominant hand p = 0.001), while no significant associations were observed for manual dexterity or T25FW performance.. The second tercile of MVPA was significantly associated with reduced HGS in the dominant (p = 0.037) and non-dominant hands (p = 0.015). Conversely, the third tercile of the MVPA compared to the lower tertile was associated with better HGS of the non-dominant hand (p = 0.022) and faster completion of the 9-HPT with the non-dominant (p = 0.010) and dominant hands (p = 0.029). Furthermore, frequent consumption of protein-rich products was correlated with faster completion of the T25FW test (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Regular physical activity is associated with better functional fitness, while more frequent consumption of protein-rich foods may be associated with higher muscle mass of major muscle groups, which is important for effective locomotion. This study has a cross-sectional and exploratory design; therefore, the findings reflect associations only and do not allow casual inferences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationship Between Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Modern Lifestyles)

17 pages, 656 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Behavioral Profiles of Physical Activity and Dietary Intake in Young Adults and Their Associations with Lower Limb Injury Occurrence

by Jarosław Domaradzki

Nutrients 2025, 17(20), 3196; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203196 - 11 Oct 2025

Viewed by 757

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To delineate integrated lifestyle profiles combining physical activity (PA) and dietary intake (DI) and test their links with lower limb injury in physically active young adults. Methods: We analyzed a cross-sectional convenience sample of university students (men: n = 91, 20.5 ± 1.0 years; women: n = 118, 20.3 ± 0.8 years). PA (IPAQ) and DI (QEB) were assessed alongside self-reported injuries. Latent class modeling derived PA–DI profiles. Injury prevalence across profiles was compared (χ²), and logistic regression examined injury odds adjusting for sex, age, and BMI. Results: Four profiles emerged. Two reflected less healthy patterns (Profiles 2–3) and two healthier ones (Profiles 1, 4). Profile 4 showed higher vegetables/legumes/fermented milk and lower fast food/sugary drinks; Profile 3 combined greater sitting and fried/sweetened items with lower walking/milk intake. Overall injury prevalence was 56.9%, ranging from 44.1% (Profile 2) to 66.7% (Profile 4 exceeded Profile 2 in pairwise comparison (χ² (1) = 5.08, p = 0.024)). In adjusted models, men had higher injury odds (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.09–3.48, p = 0.025); profile membership was not independently predictive, and profile × sex interactions were null. Conclusions: Young adults cluster into distinct PA–DI patterns that differ behaviorally, but sex—rather than profile—was the most consistent correlate of injury. Prevention should integrate lifestyle screening with sex-specific strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Relationship Between Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Modern Lifestyles)

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