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Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2025) | Viewed by 17168

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Prof. Dr. Gian Pietro Emerenziani

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Guest Editor

Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli studi Magna Graecia di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: sports nutrition; physical activity; exercise; body composition; nutritional supplements

Dr. Maria Grazia Tarsitano

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Guest Editor

Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: metabolism; overweight; obesity; nutrition; endocrine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Body composition is regulated by several mechanisms, including diet, physical activity/exercise, genetic and behavioural factors. Eating a balanced diet and being physically active are two modifiable factors for staying healthy at any age. Indeed, both behaviours may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, promote weight loss and prevent weight gain, improving the ability to live independently. Regarding sport and fitness performance, a body composition resulting from the consumption of a balanced diet and the regular practice of physical activity may lead to better results. Interestingly, the evaluation of body composition may help to detect and solve different health issues in both sport performance and malnutrition, ranging from undernutrition to overweight. Current evidence suggests a relationship among different nutrient intakes (normal foods, fortified foods, nutraceuticals, etc.), physical exercise (aerobic, strength, combined, etc.) and body composition, both in athletes and in the general population.

However, due to the complexity of nutrient intake and physical activity, their effects on health outcomes and physical performance should be deeply investigated. For example, the combination of diet and physical activity may lead to positive results in terms of body composition in one specific population (e.g., young people) but not in others (e.g., older adults).

This Special Issue will draw attention to the effects of different food and nutrient intakes plus physical exercise on the control of body composition, and how these findings may be used towards the prevention and management of health and physical performance in different populations.

Prof. Dr. Gian Pietro Emerenziani
Dr. Maria Grazia Tarsitano
Guest Editors

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Keywords

exercise
sport
food intake
fortified food
nutritional supplements
macronutrients
nutraceuticals
sport nutrition
functional foods

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1046 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship of Body Composition and Somatotype with Physical Activity Level and Nutrition Knowledge in Elite and Non-Elite Orienteering Athletes

by Héctor Esteve-Ibáñez, Eraci Drehmer, Vladimir Schuindt da Silva, Israel Souza, Diego Augusto Santos Silva and Filomena Vieira

Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040714 - 17 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 882

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this single cross-sectional study was to identify the physical characteristics (anthropometric, somatotype, body composition) of orienteering athletes (OAs) and to compare them with nutrition knowledge (NK) and physical activity level (PAL). Methods: Data were collected from 58 subjects of seven countries, including Angola (n = 1), Brazil (n = 5), Poland (n = 1), Portugal (n = 26), South Africa (n = 1), Spain (n = 22) and Sweden (n = 2). The subjects included 10 elite (E) female (F) OAs [age: 25.5 ± 6.4 years, body mass: 59.5 ± 7.7 kg, stature: 168.1 ± 6.5 cm, body mass index (BMI): 21.0 ± 1.9 kg/m²], 13 E male (M) OAs (age: 24.3 ± 5.0 years, body mass: 65.0 ± 5.5 kg, stature: 175.1 ± 6.0 cm, BMI: 21.3 ± 2.2 kg/m²), 18 non-elite (NE) FOAs (age: 41.7 ± 10.3 years, body mass: 60.6 ± 8.5 kg, stature: 161.3 ± 11.7 cm, BMI: 23.4 ± 3.7 kg/m²), and 17 NEMOAs (age: 37.2 ± 14.6 years, body mass: 71.5 ± 14.2 kg, stature: 174.0 ± 8.8 cm, BMI: 23.6 ± 4.1 kg/m²). The participants were selected to ensure a diverse and representative sample of international-level orienteering athletes. Measurements were taken at two IOF world ranking events, the “Portugal “O” Meeting (POM)” and the “35° Trofeo Internacional Murcia Costa Cálida”, where only top-ranked orienteers compete. The selected participants from these seven countries were among the registered athletes in these international competitions. The OAs were measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). NK was evaluated using the updated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A—NSKQ). PAL was assessed using the short version of the self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ—SF). Results: The percentage of body fat (p < 0.01) in MOAs was significantly lower than in FOAs. Endomorphy (p = 0.037) and mesomorphy (p = 0.025) in EOAs were significantly lower than in NEOAs, but ectomorphy (p = 0.038) was significantly higher. EMOAs are ectomorphic mesomorphs, while NEMOAs are balanced mesomorphs, EFOAs are central, and NEFOAs are endomorphic mesomorphs. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were also observed in sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) among EOAs and NEOAs, with the former group achieving a higher percentage of correct responses. In the case of total nutritional knowledge (TNK), EOAs of both sexes scored significantly higher (p = 0.043) than their NEOA counterparts. A significant negative correlation was also observed between percentage of body fat (%BF) and metabolic equivalent (MET) in minutes per week (min/week) (r = −0.39, p = 0.038), bone mass (BM) and MET-min/week (r = −0.40, p = 0.033), and endomorphy and SNK (r = −0.38, p = 0.045) in FOAs. Among MOAs, the most significant findings included a negative correlation between age and METmin/week (r = −0.49, p = 0.010), kilocalorie (kcal) per week (r = −0.46, p = 0.016), and SNK (r = −0.40, p = 0.029). Conclusions: The key findings indicate that EOAs have lower BF percentages and higher NK scores compared to NEOAs. These results on the physical characteristics of OAs and the score of PAL and classification of NK can be useful to coaches and sports scientists to improve orienteer’s performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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12 pages, 921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevention Is Better than Cure—Body Composition and Glycolipid Metabolism after a 24-Week Physical Activity Program without Nutritional Intervention in Healthy Sedentary Women

by Ewa Śliwicka, Natalia Popierz-Rydlewska, Anna Straburzyńska-Lupa, Jivko Nikolov, Łucja Pilaczyńska-Szcześniak and Anna Gogojewicz

Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2536; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152536 - 2 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1771

Abstract

Women are generally less active than men; therefore, the search for an attractive form of physical activity that benefits women’s health is underway. This study aimed to investigate the influence of a 24-week physical activity program on body composition and indices of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism in sedentary, healthy women. The study comprised 18 female volunteers (mean age 35.0 ± 5.3 years). Dietary intake was assessed using a standardized seven-day food record. Before entering the program and after completing it, each participant’s body composition and indices of glycolipid metabolism were measured. Insulin resistance indexes were calculated based on the obtained data. After the physical activity program, significant decreases in body mass and composition, BMI, waist circumference, percentage of fat content, and fat mass were found. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), and resistin concentrations, as well as in the mean values of HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD. A substantial increase in adiponectin levels was also found. To conclude, the combined endurance–resistance physical activity program had a beneficial effect on body mass and composition and improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in normal-weight, healthy women. Therefore, we recommend this activity to sedentary young women to prevent obesity and metabolic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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10 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Online Home-Based Pilates Combined with Diet on Body Composition in Women Affected by Obesity: A Preliminary Study

by Francesca Greco, Maria Grazia Tarsitano, Loretta Francesca Cosco, Federico Quinzi, Katia Folino, Marco Spadafora, Moomna Afzal, Cristina Segura-Garcia, Samantha Maurotti, Roberta Pujia, Arturo Pujia, Pasqualina Buono and Gian Pietro Emerenziani

Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060902 - 21 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3179

Abstract

Diet and exercise intervention are the first strategies to counteract obesity. An online home-based exercise program may be a feasible approach in an obese population. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of twelve weeks of online Pilates plus diet on body composition in individuals affected by obesity. Thirty-five females were randomly assigned to a home-based Pilates group (PG, n = 18) or a group without intervention (control group, CG, n = 17). All participants followed a Mediterranean diet. The PG followed a twelve-week online Pilates Matwork program (three times/week; 180 min/week), while the CG was not involved in any structured physical exercise program. Body composition and handgrip strength were evaluated at baseline (T₀) and after the intervention (T₁). A significant group × time interaction (p < 0.05) was found for the fat mass percentage (pFM). Specifically, the pFM was significantly lower at T₁ than at T₀ in the PG. Significant group × time interactions for fat-free mass (p < 0.05), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.05), and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.01) were found. All these variables were significantly higher at T₁ than at T₀ in the PG (p < 0.05). Home-based Pilates combined with diet intervention may represent an effective strategy to improve body composition in terms of fat mass reduction and muscle mass gain in adults affected by obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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18 pages, 2798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio

by Elvira Padua, Massimiliano Caprio, Alessandra Feraco, Elisabetta Camajani, Stefania Gorini, Andrea Armani, Bruno Ruscello, Alfonso Bellia, Rocky Strollo and Mauro Lombardo

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010019 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3460

Abstract

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy of a personalised low-calorie Mediterranean Diet (MD) in promoting fat mass (FM) reduction while preserving fat-free mass (FFM). This study involved 100 Caucasian adults aged 18–65 years who followed a tailored low-calorie MD for two months. The total energy expenditure was assessed using a multi-sensor armband. The change in body composition (BC) was evaluated using the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio, calculated as the difference in the FM to FFM ratio before and after the diet, divided by the ratio before the diet, and multiplied by 100. A negative value indicates a greater decrease in FM than FFM, while a positive value suggests a greater increase in FM than FFM. This study demonstrated a significant FM reduction, with an average decrease of 5% (p < 0.001). However, the relationship between caloric reduction and the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio showed a weak negative correlation (r = −0.03, p > 0.05). This suggests that the calorie deficit had a minimal direct impact on the BC changes. Subjects over the age of 30 showed an increase in muscle mass, while younger subjects showed no significant changes. Moreover, a direct correlation was observed between the changes in MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values and the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio, indicating that improved average physical activity intensity positively influences BC. In the female subgroup, high protein intake, exercise intensity, and the duration of physical activity were positively correlated with an improvement in the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio. However, for individuals with BMI 20–25 kg/m², high fibre intake was surprisingly negatively correlated with the Δ% FM-to-FFM ratio. This study underscores the intricate interplay between calorie restriction, physical activity intensity, and BC changes. It also suggests that individual factors, including age, gender, and BMI, may influence the response to a low-calorie MD. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm and expand upon these findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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9 pages, 254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Self-Esteem, Body Composition, and Physical Activity in Polish University Students

by Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Jarosław Markowski, Agnieszka Gdańska, Mateusz Grajek, Eliza Działach, Grzegorz Szlachta and Mateusz Rozmiarek

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 3907; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183907 - 8 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3365

Abstract

Global self-esteem is a psychological concept that refers to the overall assessment of oneself as a person of value. Body composition is measured by indices such as BMI, BF, and LBM, which have implications for health and self-esteem. Physical activity is associated with numerous health and self-esteem benefits. The purpose of this study focuses on assessing the relationship between global self-esteem, body composition, and physical activity among Polish students. The study was conducted on a group of 305 students between the ages of 19 and 26. The participants were divided into groups according to their level of physical activity. The SES scale by M. Rosenberg assessed the subjects’ global self-esteem. The results showed a negative correlation between body weight and BMI and global self-esteem, that is, the higher the body weight, the lower the self-esteem. On the other hand, higher levels of physical activity were associated with higher global self-esteem. The study suggests that maintaining healthy physical activity and body composition can help improve global self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of physical activity for mental health and self-esteem. It is worth encouraging and promoting physical activity among students to support an individual’s physical and emotional health. Ultimately, this study may have implications for health policy, education, and intervention for students to emphasize the importance of physical activity for self-esteem and overall health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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21 pages, 1410 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Influence of Physical Exercise, Ketogenic Diet, and Time-Restricted Eating on De Novo Lipogenesis: A Narrative Review

by Antonio Paoli

Nutrients 2025, 17(4), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040663 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 3547

Abstract

De novo lipogenesis (DNL) is a metabolic pathway that converts carbohydrates into fatty acids, primarily occurring in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in adipose tissue. While hepatic DNL is highly responsive to dietary carbohydrate intake and regulated by insulin via transcription factors like SREBP-1c, adipose DNL is more modest and less sensitive to dietary overfeeding. Dysregulated DNL contributes to metabolic disorders, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Lifestyle interventions, such as physical exercise, ketogenic diets, and time-restricted eating (TRE) offer promising strategies to regulate DNL and improve metabolic health. Physical exercise enhances glucose uptake in muscles, reduces insulin levels, and promotes lipid oxidation, thereby suppressing hepatic DNL. Endurance and resistance training also improve mitochondrial function, further mitigating hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Ketogenic diets shift energy metabolism toward fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis, lower insulin, and directly downregulate lipogenic enzyme activity in the liver. TRE aligns feeding with circadian rhythms by optimizing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation during fasting periods, which suppresses DNL and enhances lipid metabolism. The combined effects of these interventions demonstrate significant potential for improving lipid profiles, reducing hepatic triglycerides, and preventing lipotoxicity. By addressing the distinct roles of the liver and adipose DNL, these strategies target systemic and localized lipid metabolism dysregulation. Although further research is needed to fully understand their long-term impact, these findings highlight the transformative potential of integrating these approaches into clinical practice to manage metabolic disorders and their associated complications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Dietary, Nutrition and Physical Activity on Body Composition)

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