Psychophysiological Responses to Physical Activity, Exercise and/or Nutrition Interventions in Overweight and Obese Individuals

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 7063

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Interests: clinical exercise physiology; exercise physiology; exercise biochemistry; strength and conditioning; high-intensity interval training; obesity; functional training; resistance training

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major global public health issue. Physical activity and exercise, as well as positive eating habits, promote beneficial physiological and psychological responses in overweight and obese individuals. Thus, studies must be undertaken that explore the effectiveness of physical activity or structured exercise, alone or combined with nutritional interventions, on body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic health and mental health in overweight and obese individuals of all ages. Considering the great methodological diversity among exercise and/or nutrition protocols in the literature, robust evidence is required to identify which exercise types, with or without a prescribed diet, can induce positive changes in health, fitness and well-being indicators among individuals of unhealthy weight. The current Special Issue aims to highlight evidence for use in practice and to provide valuable information that might improve an array of psychophysiological parameters. In this Special Issue, we welcome original research, case reports, study protocols, short communications, brief reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on physical activity, exercise and/or nutrition and:

  • Anthropometric characteristics;
  • Body composition;
  • Glucose metabolism;
  • Lipid metabolism;
  • Blood pressure;
  • Physical fitness;
  • Exercise behavioral regulation;
  • Enjoyment;
  • Affective valence;
  • Quality of life;
  • Mood state;
  • Depression;
  • Anxiety and stress;
  • Eating habits.

Dr. Alexios Batrakoulis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • overweight
  • obesity
  • physical activity
  • exercise
  • physiological responses
  • psychological responses

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3459 KiB  
Article
Optimal Cut-Off Values for Body Mass Index and Fat Mass Index Based on Age in Physically Active Males Using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve
by Daisy Masih, Gurseen Rakhra, Annu Vats, Saroj Kumar Verma, Vijay Kumar Singh, Vandana Kirar, Jitendra Kumar Tripathi and Som Nath Singh
Diseases 2023, 11(4), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11040137 - 06 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
This study aims to redefine obesity cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) according to the different age groups of physically active males. Healthy physically active volunteers (N = 1442) aged 18–57 years (y), with a mean BMI [...] Read more.
This study aims to redefine obesity cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) according to the different age groups of physically active males. Healthy physically active volunteers (N = 1442) aged 18–57 years (y), with a mean BMI = 22.7 ± 2.8 kg/m2, and mean FMI = 4.3 ± 1.7 kg/m2 were recruited from various fitness centers. BMI was calculated and individuals were categorized according to the Asia–Pacific BMI criterion of ≤22.9 kg/m2 and the previous WHO-guided BMI criterion of ≤24.9 kg/m2. FMI was also calculated for the study participants with a cut-off of 6.6 kg/m2. Redefining of BMI and FMI cut-off values was carried out based on different age groups categorized with a difference of 10 y and 5 y using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Youden’s index. For the entire study population, BMI redefined cut-off points for overweight and obesity were 23.7 kg/m2 and 24.5 kg/m2, respectively, while FMI redefined cut-off points for overweight and obesity were 4.6 kg/m2 and 5.7 kg/m2, respectively. With 10 y of age group difference, a constant BMI and FMI values were observed, while with 5 y of age group difference, a constant increase in the BMI cut-offs was observed as the age group increased, i.e., from 23.3 kg/m2 in 20–24 y to 26.6 kg/m2 in ≥45 y and a similar trend was seen in FMI cut-offs. To conclude, our study suggests that age-dependent BMI and FMI cut-off points may provide appropriate measurements for physically active males as the age group increases. Full article
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9 pages, 256 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Greek Orthodox Christian Fasting during Holy Week on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Overweight Adults
by Kalliopi Georgakouli, Fotini Siamata, Dimitrios Draganidis, Panagiotis Tsimeas, Konstantinos Papanikolaou, Alexios Batrakoulis, Athanasios Gatsas, Athanasios Poulios, Niki Syrou, Chariklia K. Deli, Ioannis G. Fatouros and Athanasios Z. Jamurtas
Diseases 2022, 10(4), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases10040120 - 05 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1674
Abstract
This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, [...] Read more.
This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, immediately after (n = 23) and one week after FC (subgroup of n = 10). Fasting resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and total body fat, as well as blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Nutrition analysis showed a decreased protein and saturated fat intake during fasting. FC (n = 10) resulted in a decreased carbohydrate intake and increased protein and cholesterol intake compared to fasting. Fasting resulted in decreased blood glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels but returned to pre-fasting levels after FC. Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week is beneficial for body composition and some aspects of cardiometabolic health. However, these favourable changes are not maintained one week following fasting. Full article

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6 pages, 692 KiB  
Opinion
Role of Mind–Body Fitness in Obesity
by Alexios Batrakoulis
Diseases 2023, 11(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11010001 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2533
Abstract
Various mind–body fitness modalities such as Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have become an accepted part of the physical activity, exercise, and leisure sector, serving several populations eligible for meditative movement activities. However, no robust evidence is present in the current literature [...] Read more.
Various mind–body fitness modalities such as Pilates, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have become an accepted part of the physical activity, exercise, and leisure sector, serving several populations eligible for meditative movement activities. However, no robust evidence is present in the current literature supporting the efficacy of these meditative movement activities on health, fitness, and well-being markers among obese adults. Interestingly, the feasibility and safety of mind–body fitness programs in this cohort are still questionable. However, the limited available data show the beneficial role of such alternative exercise options in improving numerous physical fitness and cardiometabolic health-related indicators. The major role of mind–body fitness in obese individuals is to promote muscle control, body functionality, flexibility, and balance while reducing physical limitations, chronic pain, and stress through sessions integrating body postures, efficient breathing patterns, meditation, and relaxation. Such a bodily movement-based approach may be associated with increased physical performance and improved cardiometabolic as well as mental health. However, data on anthropometric characteristics, body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors modification are somewhat equivocal. Future studies are needed to investigate a wider spectrum of physical fitness and cardiometabolic health parameters, since obese people are likely to demonstrate poor functional capacity, impaired glucose control, lipid disorder, and abnormal blood pressure levels. Full article
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