nutrients-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 July 2025) | Viewed by 1315

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Pecs, H-7624 Pecs, Hungary
Interests: health related fitness (exercise physiology, molecular biology, body composition); health related lifestyle, including nutrition, recreation; dietary habits and health, physical activity/health/diet and age groups
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In societies, which are changing almost daily, wellbeing, health, and a healthy lifestyle are crucial. Wellbeing is correlated to many positive changes in the economic status of populations, which then lead to an increase in food consumption as well. To counteract the negative effects from increased food consumption, education is more important than ever. How should we lead our lives, what is healthy for consumption, and how much should one exercise? How can we change our lifestyle from a sedentary one into a more physically active one, thus increasing our health? Physical activity and a well-balanced diet are very important health strategies, but they are only effective in a combined, complex manner. Much scientific data have been presented already, but there is a need to collate them, and this Special Issue is one such avenue for this purpose. This issue seeks to increase individuals’ motivation to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, while showing the latest data from interventions and professional programs.

Prof. Dr. Márta Wilhelm
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. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2900 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
  • healthy diet
  • metabolism
  • adaptation
  • education

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 553 KiB  
Article
Gender and Age-Specific Responses to Non-Invasive Body-Contouring Interventions and Their Impact on Body Composition—Pilot Study
by Raluca Maior, Florina Ruta, Mihail-Alexandru Badea, Calin Avram and Vladimir Bacârea
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2639; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162639 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Background: Eximia is a non-invasive body-contouring technology combining ultrasound cavitation, radiofrequency, and vacuum suction to reduce adiposity. EMS Pro Bodytech delivers biphasic electrical impulses to stimulate muscular contractions and improve muscle performance. Methods: A 6-week observational study included 77 participants (58 women aged [...] Read more.
Background: Eximia is a non-invasive body-contouring technology combining ultrasound cavitation, radiofrequency, and vacuum suction to reduce adiposity. EMS Pro Bodytech delivers biphasic electrical impulses to stimulate muscular contractions and improve muscle performance. Methods: A 6-week observational study included 77 participants (58 women aged 28–55 and 19 men aged 20–49), who received twice-weekly sessions combining Eximia and EMS training. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were recorded before and after the intervention. Results: Participants showed reductions in fat mass (mean from 19.21 kg to 18.19 kg; SD from 8.23 to 8.42), BMI (mean from 26.03 to 25.68; SD from 4.26 to 4.16), and visceral fat index (mean from 4.97 to 4.74; SD from 2.88 to 2.99), alongside an increase in skeletal muscle percentage (mean from 37.34% to 38.3%, SD from 5.09 to 5.94). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in treatment response between genders (e.g., BMI: p = 0.080; fat-free mass: p = 0.089) or age groups (all p > 0.6), suggesting that the intervention was effective across demographics. Conclusions: The combined approach of Eximia body remodeling and EMS muscle stimulation led to measurable improvements in body composition, independent of age or gender. These findings support its potential as a non-invasive, inclusive strategy for body reshaping alongside peri-procedural dietary standardization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Eating Attitudes, Body Appreciation, Perfectionism, and the Risk of Exercise Addiction in Physically Active Adults: A Cluster Analysis
by Bettina F. Piko, Tamás L. Berki, Orsolya Kun and David Mellor
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132063 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although regular physical exercise is protective for health, excessive engagement can contribute to the development of addiction. Further, the co-occurrence of exercise addiction (EA) and disordered eating (DE) is very frequent among athletes with several common risk factors. Our study focused [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although regular physical exercise is protective for health, excessive engagement can contribute to the development of addiction. Further, the co-occurrence of exercise addiction (EA) and disordered eating (DE) is very frequent among athletes with several common risk factors. Our study focused on the associations between exercise addiction, eating attitudes, body appreciation, and perfectionism in a sample of physically active adults. Methods: Using a sample of Hungarian adults who were regular exercisers (n = 205, aged 18–70 years, mean age = 30.59 years; 77.1% females), cluster analysis was applied to identify participants’ profile according to their level of EA, DE attitudes, body appreciation, and dimensions of perfectionism. Results: Healthy exercisers had the second lowest level of EA and highest level of body appreciation, and they were not prone to DE (31.22%). Another cluster had a relatively low risk of EA but were potentially prone to DE, with poor body appreciation and a medium level of socially prescribed and other-oriented perfectionism (29.8%). Third, a group of exercisers was characterized by the highest risk of both EA and DE, who also reported relatively high levels of personal standards and organization (25.36%). Finally, those with the second highest risk of EA with a high tendency for dieting and bulimia and poor body appreciation were prone to socially prescribed and other-related perfectionism (13.66%). Conclusions: Symptoms of exercise addiction are not necessarily pathological, but they can serve as signals for the overuse of sports and undue achievement orientation, particularly when being associated with disordered eating attitudes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 299 KiB  
Review
Ergogenic and Physiological Effects of Sports Supplements: Implications for Advertising and Consumer Information
by Pedro Estevan Navarro, Cristina González-Díaz, Rubén García Pérez, Angel Gil-Izquierdo, Carlos Javier García, Daniel Giménez-Monzo, Alejandro Perales and José Miguel Martínez Sanz
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2706; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162706 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 171
Abstract
Background: The use of sports supplements has increased significantly in athletic contexts, raising the need to evaluate their efficacy, safety, regulatory status, and communication practices. Objective: This study aimed to describe and synthesize the ergogenic and physiological effects of Australian Institute of Sport [...] Read more.
Background: The use of sports supplements has increased significantly in athletic contexts, raising the need to evaluate their efficacy, safety, regulatory status, and communication practices. Objective: This study aimed to describe and synthesize the ergogenic and physiological effects of Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Category A performance supplements. Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted, collecting and analyzing information from systematic reviews and position statements related to performance supplements, including caffeine, creatine, β-alanine, nitrate/beetroot juice, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol. Results: Caffeine and creatine are the only supplements with authorized health claims. However, β-alanine, nitrates, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerol show positive ergogenic effects supported by strong evidence, especially in endurance, strength, high-intensity, and aquatic sports. However, these substances lack regulatory approval, and only a small proportion of commercial products comply with current legislation. Conclusions: While performance supplements may enhance athletic performance when used alongside proper nutrition and scientific guidance, their effectiveness is not always consistent or assured. This review highlights the urgent need to update regulatory frameworks, harmonize labeling standards, and promote ethical marketing to safeguard consumers and support sports and nutrition professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise and Diet on Health)
Back to TopTop