In a recent editorial published in the Nutrients Journal, Spanish researchers explored the profound effects of exercise and diet on human health at different stages of life. By examining the interplay between lifestyle choices and modifiable behaviors, they shed light on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
Study: Effects of Diet—Exercise Interaction on Human Health across a Lifespan. (Image Credit: 279photoStudio/Shutterstock.com)
Background
The rapid advancements in technology and globalization have dramatically transformed our way of life. While these changes have brought numerous benefits, they have also influenced our choices, behaviors, and leisure activities. Consequently, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, chronic respiratory diseases, and certain types of cancer have become increasingly prevalent across all age groups.
Lifestyle choices are major factors contributing to these diseases, with excess sodium intake, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity being significant risk factors. The editorial discussed the challenges and benefits of the interaction between diet and exercise in lowering the risk of non-communicable diseases.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Establishing lifelong healthy habits during childhood and adolescence is crucial. Research suggests that a childhood characterized by regular exercise and a nutritious diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Consuming whole grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and plant proteins is vital for children's growth and development.
However, the availability of unhealthy processed foods and sedentary habits resulting from excessive electronic device usage pose significant challenges to cultivating healthy lifestyle habits. Studies have found that sedentary behavior and low levels of exercise are associated with increased consumption of sugary snacks and drinks among children, leading to a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity are often exacerbated during young adulthood. The increasing demands of academics and social life make it challenging for young adults to prioritize a healthy diet and exercise. These behaviors increase the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases later in life.
Interventions
Mounting evidence suggests that adopting the Mediterranean diet contributes to significant improvements in mental health, body mass index, and overall quality of life. Combining nutritional interventions with physical activity shows promising results in promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
Young adults, in particular, present an opportune demographic for strategies aimed at improving health-related lifestyle choices and life skills. One study explored the effects of caloric restriction and exercise, both individually and in combination. While caloric restriction alone and in combination with exercise successfully reduced body weight, only a combination of caloric restriction and exercise improved metabolic profiles and reduced inflammation markers in young adults.
It is worth noting that maintaining caloric restrictions over long periods can be challenging, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions or preexisting medical conditions. While programs like BALANCE recommend healthier dietary patterns, they do not delve into the interactions between diet and physical activity. Further research is needed to understand the dynamic interplay between these two major modifiable factors.
Age and Lifestyle Habits
As individuals age, adherence to healthy lifestyle choices tends to decrease. Physiological changes associated with aging further limit mobility and independence, making self-care and healthy habits more challenging. Aging is often accompanied by conditions like hypertension, hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, and high triglyceride levels. Active older individuals show a lower prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity, underscoring the importance of maintaining healthy habits throughout life.
Physical activity is closely linked to mental health, with studies showing reduced inflammatory markers and lower rates of depression among older individuals who regularly exercise.
Conclusions
The editorial emphasizes the significance of teaching and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, specifically a nutritious diet and regular exercise. These two major modifiable risk factors significantly impact the occurrence of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Given the increasing availability of unhealthy foods and the rise in sedentary lifestyles across all age groups, promoting and prioritizing healthy dietary patterns and physical activity levels should be emphasized. Further research is necessary to unravel the intricate relationship between exercise and diet and their role in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases.
