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Mean values for health outcomes across time (baseline and 4-months), showing 95% confidence intervals ((a), bodyweight; (b), VO2max; (c), Mean Arterial Pressure; (d), Skinfolds; (e), Fruit and Vegetable Intake; (f), Weekly MVPA Minutes; (g), Sleep Hours; (h), MCS-12). Abbreviations: VO2max = maximal oxygen consumption; MVPA = moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; MCS-12 = Short Health Form 12v2 mental component summary score. Notes: * indicates moderate within group effect size from baseline to 4-months. ** indicates large within group effect size from baseline to 4-months.
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(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-component nutrition, sleep, and physical activity (PA) program on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and health behaviors in overweight airline pilots. (2) Methods: A parallel group study was conducted amongst 125 airline pilots. The intervention group part...
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Citations
... While pharmacological treatments are commonly used, there is growing interest in non-drug therapies and lifestyle modifications. The current findings examine the effectiveness of these interventions, focusing on behavioral therapies, sleep hygiene, physical activity, dietary changes, and other complementary approaches (Briguglio et al. 2020;Wilson et al. 2022Wilson et al. , 2023. ...
Sleep is regarded as one of the most crucial factors in keeping a healthy lifestyle. To function normally, a person needs at least 6–8 h of sleep per day. Sleep influences not only our mood but also the efficiency with which we complete tasks. Sleep disorders exhibit diverse etiologies across different conditions and populations, with genetic and environmental factors playing a significant role in their development. Many issues emerge as a result of inadequate sleep. Unhealthy food and lifestyle choices have increased our susceptibility to sleep disorders. A well-balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals can have a profound impact on sleep patterns, enhancing both the duration and quality of rest. The primary categories of sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea (SA), narcolepsy, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The drugs used to treat sleep disorders are primarily habit-forming and have a history of withdrawal effects. This insufficiency in medication has prompted the hunt for newer, better options. Nutraceuticals are well-suited to the treatment of such illnesses. Its non-toxic, non-habit-forming properties, and practical efficiency have made it an outstanding choice. This review provides nutraceuticals used in sleep disorders. A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing several databases, including Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, PubMed, and EKB. Nutraceuticals are products that employ food or dietary components to treat or prevent disease. In the therapy of sleep disorders, nutraceuticals such as Artemisia annua, valerian, rosemary, jujube, Passionflower, lemon balm, ashwagandha, kava-kava, lavender, and chamomile have been shown to have remarkable benefits. These remedies exert their effects through multiple mechanisms, both directly by modulating neurotransmitter and hormonal pathways within sleep circuits, and indirectly by enhancing sleep quality through the alleviation of stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Clinical studies were piloted to validate the efficacy of natural sleep aids. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise mechanisms through which natural products influence sleep.
... By highlighting these interdependent mechanisms, the present review affirms the need for comprehensive management approaches that address not only psychological distress but also modifiable health behaviors [170]. Tailored interventions that incorporate nutritional counseling, physical activity regimens, and sleep hygiene may thus hold therapeutic promise, mitigating the dual burden of metabolic and mental health complications [175,176]. Advancing this integrative perspective could ultimately refine treatment algorithms and inform future research directions in translational psychiatric care. ...
Background/Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major global health concern that is intimately linked to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and complicated metabolic abnormalities. Traditional antidepressants frequently fall short, highlighting the urgent need for new, safer, and more acceptable therapeutic techniques. Phytochemicals, i.e., natural antidepressants derived from plants, are emerging as powerful plant-based therapies capable of targeting many pathogenic pathways at the same time. Summary: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of phytochemicals such as curcumin, polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids in lowering depressed symptoms. Consistent data show that these substances have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, altering neuroimmune interactions, reducing oxidative damage, and improving mitochondrial resilience. Particularly, polyphenols and flavonoids have great therapeutic potential because of their capacity to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, inhibit cytokine activity, and encourage neuroplasticity mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Despite promising results, the heterogeneity in study designs, phytochemical formulations, and patient demographics highlights the importance of thorough, standardized clinical studies. Conclusions: This review identifies phytochemicals as compelling adjuvant or independent therapies in depression treatment, providing multimodal mechanisms and enhanced tolerability. Additional research into improved dosage, pharmacokinetics, long-term safety, and integrative therapy approaches is essential. Using phytotherapeutics could considerably improve holistic and customized depression care, encouraging new research routes in integrative neuroscience and clinical psychiatry.
... By highlighting these interdependent mechanisms, the present review affirms the need for comprehensive management approaches that address not only psychological distress but also modifiable health behaviors [177]. Tailored interventions that incorporate nutritional counseling, physical activity regimens, and sleep hygiene may thus hold 9 of 6 therapeutic promise, mitigating the dual burden of metabolic and mental health complications [182,183]. Advancing this integrative perspective could ultimately refine treatment algorithms and inform future research directions in translational psychiatric care. ...
This state-of-the-art narrative review fires up a bold mission to tackle major depressive disorder (MDD) by diving deep into its biological roots—neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The authors passionately spotlight phytochemicals like curcumin, flavonoids, and polyphenols as powerful, natural antidepressants with multimodal actions. Synthesizing cutting-edge clinical and preclinical data, they reveal how plant-based therapies can restore neuroplasticity and resilience. Their message is urgent and hopeful: it's time to move beyond symptom suppression and embrace nature-driven, personalized strategies to transform depression care worldwide.
... By highlighting these interdependent mechanisms, the present review affirms the need for comprehensive management approaches that address not only psychological distress but also modifiable health behaviors [175]. Tailored interventions that incorporate nutritional counseling, physical activity regimens, and sleep hygiene may thus hold therapeutic promise, mitigating the dual burden of metabolic and mental health complications [180,181]. Advancing this integrative perspective could ultimately refine treatment algorithms and inform future research directions in translational psychiatric care. ...
This narrative review explores the role of phytochemicals—like curcumin, flavonoids, and polyphenols—in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). It highlights how these natural compounds target key pathological processes such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Drawing from preclinical and clinical evidence, the authors suggest that plant-based antidepressants offer multimodal benefits with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. The review advocates for more standardized trials to confirm their efficacy and support integration into personalized depression care.
... Additionally, it facilitates interactions in a community setting, encouraging the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Numerous studies have validated the efficacy of lifestyle interventions in lowering BP and preventing or delaying hypertension (18,19). Research has also demonstrated a positive correlation between HbA 1c and BP (20). ...
Background
With the popularity of smart phones and the development of information technology, more and more patients are adopting diabetes APPs for self-management. However, at present, there are few research reports on the effect of those APPs coming from China.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of an APP for blood glucose control that is widely popular among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods
This is a 2-center, factorial design, with equal proportional distribution, and superiority trial conducted in outpatient endocrinology clinics at two tertiary hospitals in Chengdu, China. The trial enrolled smartphone-literature individuals aged at least 18 years old who have been diagnosed with T2DM based on glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of at least 7.0%. The subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were the usual care group (G1); the telephone follow-up group (G2); the APP group (G3); the APP & telephone follow-up group (G4). After 6 months of these interventions, the primary outcome was HbA1c, and the secondary outcomes were blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), and satisfaction with the APP.
Results
273 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study, among which 226 (82.8%) were followed up at the 3rd month and 220 (80.6%) at the 6th month. There was no significant difference in HbA1c attainment rate among the four groups after intervention (P >.05), but the HbA1c attainment rate in the two APP groups was higher than that in the other groups. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the two APP groups was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P <.05). There was no significant difference in the compliance rate of SMBG among the four groups (P >.05). Each item of the participants’ satisfaction evaluation of the APP scored more than 4.5 points.
Conclusions
The diabetes APP has a tendency to improve the HbA1c compliance rate of T2DM patients. The APP can help reduce patients’ BP, and patients have a high satisfaction evaluation of the APP. Therefore, the study supports the use of the APP for self-management in people with type 2 diabetes.
Clinical Trial Registration
https://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100042297.
... Among the general population, a large body of evidence suggests that lifestyle behaviors physical activity, nutrition, sleep, alcohol consumption, and smoking are independently associated with mental health, yet the direct relationship of each behavior with mental health has not been sufficiently explored among airline pilots. Recent reports from clinical trials suggest improvements in health behaviors are associated with elevated perceived mental health, improved cardiometabolic fitness, and decreased fatigue [18][19][20][21][22][23]. Further, diet management and physical exercise have been reported as the most prevalent coping mechanisms for work-related stress among airline pilots [15]. ...
Background
Lifestyle behaviors including physical activity, sleep, nutrition, smoking, and alcohol consumption are independently associated with health, yet the relationship between these behaviors and mental health has not been explored among airline pilots. The aim of this study was to measure the association between health behaviors and mental health.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 502 airline pilots. The primary outcome measure was the mental component score (MCS), derived from the Short Form Health Survey 12v2. We collected information regarding age, sex, ethnicity, height, body mass, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking status, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fruit and vegetable intake, and sleep duration.
Results
After controlling for demographic and anthropometric parameters, MVPA, fruit and vegetable intake, and sleep duration were positively correlated with MCS (p ≤ 0.001), and alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking were negatively correlated with MCS (p ≤ 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed alcohol consumption was the strongest predictor of MCS (β = −0.308, p ≤ 0.001), followed by smoking (β = −0.236, p ≤ 0.001), MVPA (β = 0.233, p ≤ 0.001), sleep (β = 0.148, p ≤ 0.001), and fruit and vegetable intake (β = 0.097, p = 0.003).
Conclusion
The results suggest that greater physical activity, sleep duration, and fruit and vegetable intake are associated with better mental health. Meanwhile, excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking undermine mental health status.
... PTSD and insomnia symptom severity also improved at post-treatment [67]. Another study tested a 16-week multi-component intervention (nutrition, sleep, and physical activity) vs. waitlist control among airline pilots with overweight (N = 125; 9.6% women) [68]. In summary, there are mixed results across interventions that integrate weight and sleep goals. ...
Purpose of Review
Insomnia and short sleep have been linked with weight gain and obesity. However, these findings have not been consistent across studies. We review recent evidence for the association between insomnia, short sleep, and weight gain, as well as the relationship between behavioral and pharmacological treatments for sleep and weight.
Recent Findings
The relationship between insomnia and obesity is mixed, with stronger associations between insomnia with short sleep and obesity than other presentations of insomnia. Short sleep is associated with weight gain. Z-drugs and benzodiazapines do not appear to impact weight, but many antidepressants and antipsychotics that are used for insomnia treatment do cause weight gain.
Summary
The relationships between insomnia and short sleep with weight gain and obesity are inconsistent. More prospective trials are needed to identify mediators and moderators of this relationship to better develop and deliver effective interventions for both sleep and weight problems.
... Połączenie właściwych nawyków dotyczących diety, higieny snu i aktywności fizycznej niesie ze sobą pozytywne, prozdrowotne zmiany. Doniesienia naukowe sugerują, że interwencje zawierające trzy wcześniej wspomniane składowe wywierają pozytywne efekty na gruncie wielu parametrów związanych ze zdrowiem fizycznym oraz mentalnym (Wilson et al., 2022). Intuicyjność wymienionych w tekście aplikacji oraz wykorzystanie i tak posiadanego już sprzętu mobilnego nie powinny stanowić problemu dla większości społeczeństwa. ...
The vast majority of Poles have modern smartphones or smartwatches. These devices are equipped with a number of sensors that can provide a lot of information interesting from a biomedical point of view. According to the concept of Marc Lalond, the most important factor affecting human health is their lifestyle. The purpose of this article is to present widely available and easy-to-use mobile tools that can be utilised to monitor health and the level of physical activity. Dedicated applications tracking physical activity, diet and the calorie intake, sleep patterns or helping to control or stop using stimulants should be an important element of health promotion. The authors
postulate the deliberate use of devices owned by majority of the society to improve habits, the general condition of the body and their self-awareness.
Zdecydowana większość Polaków posiada nowoczesne urządzenia typu smartfon czy smartwatch. Sprzęty te wyposażone są w liczne czujniki, które mogą dostarczyć wielu informacji interesujących z biomedycznego punktu widzenia. Zgodnie z koncepcją Marca Lalonda najistotniejszym czynnikiem wpływającym na zdrowie człowieka jest jego styl życia. Celem niniejszego artykułu było przedstawienie szeroko dostępnych i prostych w użyciu narzędzi mobilnych, które mogą być wykorzystane do kontroli stanu zdrowia oraz poziomu aktywności fizycznej. Aplikacje śledzące tę aktywność, dietę i jej kaloryczność, sen czy pomagające w kontrolowaniu bądź zaprzestaniu korzystania z używek powinny stanowić ważny element promocji zdrowia. Autorzy postulują wykorzystanie posiadanych przez większość osób urządzeń do poprawy nawyków, ogólnego stanu organizmu i ich samoświadomości.
... Behavioral interventions that enhance CRF and body composition variables including BF%, BMI, and WC among airline pilots have demonstrated favorable changes in BP [11][12][13]. However, the specific relationships between CRF, body composition and BP have not been established among this occupational group. ...
... Participants were instructed to avoid large meals, strenuous physical activity, and stimulants such as caffeine for 4 h before their physiological measurements were taken. Procedures for measuring BP and body composition have been previously described in detail [4,12]. In brief, body mass was measured using SECA 813 electronic flat scales and height with a SECA 206 stadiometer (SECA, Hamburg, Deutschland). ...
... To assess participants' aerobic fitness, estimated VO 2max was determined by having them perform a 3-min aerobic test (3mAT) on a Wattbike electro-magnetically and airbraked cycle ergometer, which has been previously validated among airline pilots [12,18]. Before the test, participants were given a thorough explanation of the protocol, safety procedures, they were provided with a Polar H10 heart rate strap (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland) and the seat and handle were fitted correctly. ...
Objective
Blood pressure (BP), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition are independently associated with health outcomes, yet the relationship between these variables has not been explored among airline pilots. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CRF and BP, and further examine whether the relationship is mediated by body composition.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 356 airline pilots in New Zealand. We measured height, body mass, BP, waist circumference, skinfolds, and CRF (via a WattBike cycle ergometer submaximal VO 2max test). Partial correlation coefficients were estimated to examine the relationships between all variables while controlling for age and sex. Haye's PROCESS macro and the Sobel test were utilized for the mediation analysis.
Results
All body composition variables (body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage) were positively correlated with all BP variables (systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure) ( P < 0.001). CRF was negatively correlated with all body composition and BP variables ( P < 0.001). The Sobel test and indirect effect were significant ( P < 0.001), confirming that all body composition variables partially mediate the relationship between CRF and all blood pressure variables.
Conclusion
Lower CRF is associated with higher blood pressure, and body composition partially mediates the relationship between these health risk factors. These findings highlight the importance of physical fitness and healthy body composition in the management of blood pressure among this occupational group.
... Manfaat aktivitas fisik secara teratur bagi kesehatan berbagai usia sudah banyak dikenal. Mengurangi risiko penyakit kronis seperti obesitas, diabetes tipe 2 dan penyakit kardiovaskular, disamping berkontribusi terhadap peningkatan kesehatan jiwa dan kesejahteraan (Wong et al., 2023;Wilson et al., 2022). Fenomena saat ini menunjukkan bahwa faktor risiko saat usia anak dapat berdampak berkelanjutan saat memasuki usia dewasa, misalnya obesitas, hyperinsulinemia (Brown et al., 2016) sehingga meningkatkan morbiditas, kematian dini, peningkatan beban pribadi, sosial dan keuangan akibat penyakit yang diderita. ...
This study aims to explore parents' perceptions of the importance of togetherness in the family and to examine the types of physical activities carried out by the family, including frequency, nature, and constraints. Methods Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 35 parents of children aged 10 to 12 who attended schools in low, middle, and high socioeconomic status environments. Interviews were transcribed using verbatim, anonymized, and analyzed. The results showed that most parents valued family involvement in physical activity as necessary. The benefits of joint activities can increase parent-child interaction and communication, take advantage of the time together, improve mental health and physical fitness, and control weight. However, it was found that families rarely did physical activities together as a family unit, and any activities done together were usually sedentary. Schedule complexity hinders the implementation of activities with the family, in addition to busy lifestyles, differences in ages and interests of children and adults, lousy weather, and lack of access to facilities, transportation, and activity costs. In conclusion, family-based interventions must be prioritized for implementation in accommodating complex family demands and needs by taking into account the affordability and capabilities of the family. Keywords: Physical Activity, Family Interaction, Togetherness Values, Mental Health.
