Evidence-Based Pathways to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lifestyle Interventions for Longevity and Well-Being

Sonopant Joshi; Mangesh Jabade; Husain Nadaf; Pratik Salve

doi:10.17533/udea.iee.v43n3e06

Authors

Sonopant Joshi Symbiosis International (Deemed University) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8298-8689
Mangesh Jabade Symbiosis International (Deemed University) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5091-4300
Husain Nadaf Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
Pratik Salve Symbiosis International (Deemed University) https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5088-0361

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iee.v43n3e06

Keywords:

exercise, life style, quality of life, cognitive dysfunction, risk factors, depression, sleep initiation and maintenance disorders, diet, healthy, healthy aging, mindfulness

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the impact of multidimensional lifestyle interventions on aging outcomes, including cognitive function, physical health, emotional well-being, and longevity.

Methods. This systematic review included 35 randomized controlled trials from 2014 through 2024 using MeSH terms such as "healthy aging," "nutrition," "physical activity," "mental health," "social connections," and "preventive healthcare." Inclusion was made based on whether studies have explored at least one lifestyle intervention among populations of 50 years and above with a reported outcome related to health and aging.

Results. 35 RCTs (n ≈ 25 000 participants) were included. Key findings were: Nutrition: The Mediterranean diet, antioxidant-rich foods, and protein intake were associated with cardiovascular benefits (RR = 0.78), reduced cognitive decline (OR = 0.72), and improved muscle mass (SMD = 0.45). Physical Exercise: Aerobic and resistance exercises enhanced cardiovascular fitness (MD in VO2 max = 3.6 mL/kg/min) as well as risk of frailty (RR = 0.67); Mental Health: Cognitive stimulation and mindfulness interventions reduced the risk of dementia (OR = 0.75) as well as stress levels (Standard Mean Difference -SMD = -0.65); Network Social: Friendship support interventions with community involvement attenuated the susceptibility to depression, by 30% (RR = 0.70), with improved life overall satisfaction (SMD = 0.55); Safe Harm Avoidance: Smoking treatment reduced cardiovascular outcome risks (OR = 0.68), though moderate alcoholism was associated with better liver overall function (SMD = −0.38); Sleep: Insomnia was related to a 25% reduced risk of cognitive decline when kept at 7–8 hours (RR = 0.75), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia was highly effective in enhancing quality of sleep (SMD = 0.74); Preventive Healthcare: Routine checkup reduced the un-diagnosed chronic conditions by 40% (RR = 0.60) and the vaccination programs reduced the influenza-related hospital admissions (OR = 0.58).

Conclusion. Lifestyle interventions are significant in promoting life expectancy, cognitive performance, and overall well-being. The most comprehensive benefits of delay of age-related decline will be offered by the integration of multiple lifestyle factors, including balanced diets, regular exercise, cognitive engagement, strong social ties, and preventive healthcare.

|Abstract

= 54 veces | PDF

= 42 veces|

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Sonopant Joshi, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Director, Professor

Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

Mangesh Jabade, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Assistant Professor

Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

Husain Nadaf, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Tutor

Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

Pratik Salve, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

Tutor

Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

References

1. StatPearls. Physiology, aging [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 31]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556106/

2. Khavinson V, Popovich I, Mikhailova O. Towards realization of longer life. Acta Biomedica. 2020; 91(3):e2020054.

3. Bojang KP, Manchana V. Nutrition and healthy aging: a review. Current Nutrition Reports. 2023; 12(3):369–75.

4. Langhammer B, Bergland A, Rydwik E. The importance of physical activity exercise among older people. Biomed Research International. 2018; 2018:7856823.

5. Jeste DV, Depp CA, Vahia IV. Successful cognitive and emotional aging. World Psychiatry. 2010; 9(2):78–84.

6. National Institute on Aging. Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 Jan 31]. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks

7. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Health and Behavior: Research P. Behavioral risk factors. In: Health and behavior: the interplay of biological, behavioral, and societal influences [Internet]. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001 [cited 2025 Jan 31]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK43744/

8. Stone KL, Xiao Q. Impact of poor sleep on physical and mental health in older women. Sleep Medicine Clinics. 2018; 13(3):457–65.

9. Abud T, Kounidas G, Martin KR, Werth M, Cooper K, Myint PK. Determinants of healthy ageing: a systematic review of contemporary literature. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 2022; 34(6):1215–23.

10. Castruita PA, Piña-Escudero SD, Rentería ME, Yokoyama JS. Genetic, social, and lifestyle drivers of healthy aging and longevity. Current Genetic Medicine Reports. 2022; 10(3):25–34.

11. Dominguez LJ, Di Bella G, Veronese N, Barbagallo M. Impact of Mediterranean diet on chronic non-communicable diseases and longevity. Nutrients. 2021; 13(6):2028.

12. Gualtieri P, Marchetti M, Frank G, Smeriglio A, Trombetta D, Colica C, et al. Antioxidant-enriched diet on oxidative stress and inflammation gene expression: a randomized controlled trial. Genes (Basel). 2023; 14(1):206.

13. Dighriri IM, Alsubaie AM, Hakami FM, Hamithi DM, Alshekh MM, Khobrani FA, et al. Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on brain functions: a systematic review. Cureus. 2022; 14(10):e30091.

14. Coelho-Junior HJ, Calvani R, Azzolino D, Picca A, Tosato M, Landi F, et al. Protein intake and sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(14):8718.

15. Carbone JW, Pasiakos SM. Dietary protein and muscle mass: translating science to application and health benefit. Nutrients. 2019; 11(5):1136.

16. Shabkhizan R, Haiaty S, Moslehian MS, Bazmani A, Sadeghsoltani F, Saghaei Bagheri H, et al. The beneficial and adverse effects of autophagic response to caloric restriction and fasting. Advances in Nutrition. 2023; 14(5):1211–25.

17. de Souza MM, Moraes Dantas RL, Leão Durães V, Defante MLR, Mendes TB. Vitamin D supplementation and the incidence of fractures in the elderly healthy population: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2024; 39(14):2829–36.

18. Naomi R, Yazid MD, Teoh SH, Balan SS, Shariff H, Kumar J, et al. Dietary polyphenols as a protection against cognitive decline: evidence from animal experiments; mechanisms and limitations. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023; 12(5):1054.

19. Cena H, Calder PC. Defining a healthy diet: evidence for the role of contemporary dietary patterns in health and disease. Nutrients. 2020; 12(2):334.

20. Szychowska A, Drygas W. Physical activity as a determinant of successful aging: a narrative review article. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 2022; 34(6):1209–14.

21. Pinckard K, Baskin KK, Stanford KI. Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2019; 6:69.

22. Massini DA, Nedog FH, de Oliveira TP, Almeida TAF, Santana CAA, Neiva CM, et al. The effect of resistance training on bone mineral density in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2022; 10(6):1129.

23. Benedetti MG, Furlini G, Zati A, Mauro GL. The effectiveness of physical exercise on bone density in osteoporotic patients. BioMed Research International. 2018; 2018:4840531.

24. Wong MYC, Ou Kling, Chung PK, Chui KYK, Zhang C. The relationship between physical activity, physical health, and mental health among older Chinese adults: a scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health. 2023; 10:914548.

25. Schmid D, Ricci C, Baumeister SE, Leitzmann MF. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity in relation to mortality. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2016; 48(7):1312–9.

26. Reynolds CF, Jeste DV, Sachdev PS, Blazer DG. Mental health care for older adults: recent advances and new directions in clinical practice and research. World Psychiatry. 2022; 21(3):336–63.

27. Woods B, Rai HK, Elliott E, Aguirre E, Orrell M, Spector A. Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia. Cochrane Database of System Reviews. 2023; (1):CD005562.

28. Schultz S, Larson J, Oh J, Koscik R, Dowling MN, Gallagher CL, et al. Participation in cognitively-stimulating activities is associated with brain structure and cognitive function in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Imaging Behav. 2015; 9(4):729–36.

29. Lin J, Epel E. Stress and telomere shortening: insights from cellular mechanisms. Ageing Research Reviews. 2022; 73:101507.

30. Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ. Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review. 2011; 31(6):1041–56.

31. Donovan NJ, Blazer D. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: review and commentary of a National Academies report. Am The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2020; 28(12):1233–44.

32. Joshi P, Hendrie K, Jester DJ, Dasarathy D, Lavretsky H, Ku BS, et al. Social connections as determinants of cognitive health and as targets for social interventions in persons with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders: a scoping review. Int Psychogeriatry. 2024; 36(2):92–118.

33. Okorare O, Evbayekha EO, Adabale OK, Daniel E, Ubokudum D, Olusiji SA, et al. Smoking cessation and benefits to cardiovascular health: a review of literature. Cureus. 2023; 15(3):e35966.

34. Gallucci G, Tartarone A, Lerose R, Lalinga AV, Capobianco AM. Cardiovascular risk of smoking and benefits of smoking cessation. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2020; 12(7):3866–76.

35. National Cancer Institute. Alcohol and cancer risk fact sheet [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Jan 31]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention

36. Piano MR. Alcohol’s effects on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 2017; 38(2):219–41.

37. Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI. Benefits and risks of sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. Cureus. 2023; 15(5):e38578.

38. Carroll JE, Prather AA. Sleep and biological aging: a short review. Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research. 2021; 18:159–64.

39. Kitamura T, Miyazaki S, Sulaiman HB, Akaike R, Ito Y, Suzuki H. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea as potential triggers of dementia: is personalized prediction and prevention of the pathological cascade applicable? EPMA Journal. 2020; 11(3):355–65.

40. Walker J, Muench A, Perlis ML, Vargas I. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I): a primer. Klin Spetsialnaia Psikhologiia. 2022; 11(2):123–37.

41. Zisapel N. New perspectives on the role of melatonin in human sleep, circadian rhythms and their regulation. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2018; 175(16):3190–9.

42. Shenson D, Anderson L, Slonim A, Benson W. Vaccinations and preventive screening services for older adults: opportunities and challenges in the USA. Perspectives in Public Health. 2012; 132(4):165–70.

43. Krogsbøll LT, Jørgensen KJ, Gøtzsche PC. General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019; (1):CD009009.

44. Heo JY, Song JY, Noh JY, Choi MJ, Yoon JG, Lee SN, et al. Effects of influenza immunization on pneumonia in the elderly. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2018; 14(3):744–9.

45. Goetz LH, Schork NJ. Personalized medicine: motivation, challenges and progress. Fertility and Sterility. 2018; 109(6):952–63