Individual Health Research Articles

Nutrition Role in Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease

Abstract: A person's body depends on nutrients, which are the components of food that drive biological activity. A healthy lifestyle includes having a good diet. All that we eat and drink is what human bodies are made of and how they are powered. Proteins, lipids, carbs (sugars, dietary filter), vitamins, and minerals are the several categories that they belong to nutrients, and each one of these performs a crucial job. Building all body parts, including muscle, bone, teeth, and blood. Generating energy and maintaining the body's functionality. A complete condition of emotional and physical well-being is referred to as being "healthy." Optimal nutrition, which supplies all nutrients at sufficient and suitable levels, is the cornerstone of good health and the forerunner of prevention. The most significant ongoing environmental influences influencing our growth, development, functional abilities, and health are the meals we eat and the nutrients they should include. If we want to successfully reduce the excessive premature morbidity and death from our top killer diseases-heart disease, cancer, and stroke-we must educate the general population, especially health professionals, about nutrition. Our lifestyle choices, such as eating, disciplining our health habits, and exercising, will significantly impact our individual health and lower the costs of our existing catastrophic medical treatment. The main environmental factors that continue to impact our ability to grow and develop health are the meals we eat and the nutrients they should include. In this review, we discuss how nutrients play an important role in preventing our body from disease and maintaining health.

Fresh Takes!! the Impact of Receiving Fresh Food Boxes on the Health and Well-being of Individuals living With Diabetes and Prediabetes in Under-resourced Communities in the South Bronx

Fresh Takes!! the Impact of Receiving Fresh Food Boxes on the Health and Well-being of Individuals living With Diabetes and Prediabetes in Under-resourced Communities in the South Bronx

The impact of green space on nonaccidental and cause-specific mortality in the Adventist Health Study-2 population.

There is growing interest in evaluating the long-term health effects of neighborhood environments, particularly green space. However, only a limited body of research further incorporates multiple ambient air pollutants. This study looked at the relationship between green space, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and mortality adjusted by key confounders in the Adventist Health Study-2, a longitudinal cohort study from 2002 to 2015, across the contiguous United States (N = 67,400). We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess the risk of nonaccidental, cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and respiratory disease mortality from green space around subjects' home address under multiple covariate and pollutant adjustments. We found a 0.1 unit increase in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was associated with nonaccidental (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93, 0.99]), CVD (HR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90, 0.98]), and IHD (HR: 0.87 [95% CI: 0.81, 0.94]) mortality, with the greatest precision in fully adjusted three-pollutant models using the 1000-m buffer. Effect estimates were strengthened in urban areas, when incorporating seasons, and for females. However, all associations between green space and respiratory mortality were null. This study supports evidence that increased neighborhood green space is inversely associated with nonaccidental, CVD, and IHD mortality, where the inclusion of multiple environmental covariates had a greater impact on effect estimate magnitude and precision than adjustment by individual lifestyle and health factors.

Impact of Wildfire Smoke on PM2.5, CO, NO2, and SO2 Levels

Air pollution can negatively impact public and individual health, as well as the environment. This paper investigates the impact of wildfires on levels of different air pollutants in order to determine whether focusing on reducing wildfires can be an efficient way to reduce specific pollutants. By plotting the number of acres burning in wildfires along with the overall concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) during a period of time in California, this paper estimates the contribution of wildfire smoke to the level of each pollutant. The results show that PM2.5 levels were the most heavily impacted by wildfires out of the four pollutants studied, and therefore actions to reduce the size and quantity of wildfires can be helpful to reduce the damage done by PM2.5 pollution. However, CO, NO2, and SO2 levels, while they may be correlated with fire size, are likely more strongly influenced by other factors. To minimize the harmful effects of these three pollutants, it may be more effective to focus on investigating other sources of CO, NO2, and SO2, such as the burning of fossil fuels in industrial machinery and motor vehicles.

Association between beliefs in medical conspiracy theories and health behaviors among medical and healthcare students. Implications for professional practice.

While conspiracy theories cover many different themes, medical conspiracy theories (MCTs) have become particularly prevalent in modern societies. As beliefs in MCTs can become a source of "infodemics", influence individual health behaviors and cause distrust in medical institutions and personnel, healthcare workers must find ways to overturn patients' conspiracy thinking. However, as the medical world is not free of these beliefs, in this study, we investigated beliefs in MCTs among medical and health science students and their association with reported health behaviors. Our sample was derived from a self-administered, anonymized, computer-assisted web survey conducted among 1,175 medical and health science students enrolled at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. From a set of twenty different MCTs, one-third of students rejected all of them, 18% believed in one, 15% in two, 10% in three, and 24% supported four or more conspiracy theories. In addition, many students were hesitant or unsure about MCTs. We also found that nursing and midwifery students were the most likely to believe in MCTs, while medical and dental students were the least supportive. Support for MCTs was higher among students in the early years of their studies and who declared themselves religious and conservative. This study also highlights the association between students' support for MCTs and their reported health behaviors, including avoiding vaccinations, using alternative medicine, taking vitamin C, or using social media as an essential source of health information. As medical and health science students are prone to conspiratorial thinking, they should be trained to act as a trusted and reliable source of medical information, to mitigate conspiratorial beliefs, and to act as role models for their patients and society, effectively shaping health behaviors in the population.

Gut microbiota wellbeing index predicts overall health in a cohort of 1000 infants

The human gut microbiota is central in regulating all facets of host physiology, and in early life it is thought to influence the host’s immune system and metabolism, affecting long-term health. However, longitudinally monitored cohorts with parallel analysis of faecal samples and health data are scarce. In our observational study we describe the gut microbiota development in the first 2 years of life and create a gut microbiota wellbeing index based on the microbiota development and health data in a cohort of nearly 1000 infants using clustering and trajectory modelling. We show that infants’ gut microbiota development is highly predictable, following one of five trajectories, dependent on infant exposures, and predictive of later health outcomes. We characterise the natural healthy gut microbiota trajectory and several different dysbiotic trajectories associated with different health outcomes. Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides appear as early keystone organisms, directing microbiota development and consistently predicting positive health outcomes. A microbiota wellbeing index, based on the healthy development trajectory, is predictive of general health over the first 5 years. The results indicate that gut microbiota succession is part of infant physiological development, predictable, and malleable. This information can be utilised to improve the predictions of individual health risks.

Trajectories of daily antipsychotic use and weight gain in people hospitalized for the first episode of psychosis.

We need to better understand the risk factors and predictors of medication-related weight gain to improve metabolic health of individuals with schizophrenia. This study explores how trajectories of antipsychotic medication (AP) use impact body weight early in the course of schizophrenia. We recruited 92 participants with first-episode psychosis (FEP, n=92) during their first psychiatric hospitalization. We prospectively collected weight, body mass index (BMI), metabolic markers, and exact daily medication exposure during 6-week hospitalization. We quantified the trajectory of AP medication changes and AP polypharmacy using a novel approach based on meta-analytical ranking of medications and tested it as a predictor of weight gain together with traditional risk factors. Most people started treatment with risperidone (n=57), followed by olanzapine (n=29). Then, 48% of individuals remained on their first prescribed medication, while 33% of people remained on monotherapy. Almost half of the individuals (39/92) experienced escalation of medications, mostly switch to AP polypharmacy (90%). Only baseline BMI was a predictor of BMI change. Individuals in the top tercile of weight gain, compared to those in the bottom tercile, showed lower follow-up symptoms, a trend for longer prehospitalization antipsychotic treatment, and greater exposure to metabolically problematic medications. Early in the course of illness, during inpatient treatment, baseline BMI is the strongest and earliest predictor of weight gain on APs and is a better predictor than type of medication, polypharmacy, or medication switches. Baseline BMI predicted weight change over a period of weeks, when other traditional predictors demonstrated a much smaller effect.

Weight change and lifestyle modifications implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown are associated with the development of gastrointestinal symptoms

Introduction and aimsPandemic lockdown measures are a cause of concern, regarding their negative impact on the mental health of individuals. The results of numerous studies have associated the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms with different psychologic disorders, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, due to gut-brain axis interaction. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, gastrointestinal symptom onset related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and various lifestyle modifications. MethodsAn analytic, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted on an open population that agreed to participate within the time frame of January to May 2021. ResultsA total of 298 subjects, 165 of whom were women (55.4%), agreed to participate and the mean patient age was 36.1 ± 12.6 years. There was a significant increase in the frequency of several gastrointestinal symptoms: epigastric burning, early satiety, heartburn, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea. Changes in weight and modifications in lifestyle were found to be associated variables. ConclusionsThe results of this study showed a significant increase in a wide variety of gastrointestinal symptoms related to lifestyle changes due to the pandemic lockdown. Weight change, supplement and multivitamin intake, and reduced physical activity were the main associated risk factors. Public healthcare systems should take a multidisciplinary approach into consideration for the care of affected individuals.

Exploring the links between periodontal diseases and obstructive sleep apnoea: An overview for clinicians.

Both periodontal diseases (PDs) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are highly prevalent disorders with global impact, associated with a large burden at individual patient and health system levels. These disorders often co-exist, but there is growing evidence that the association between the disorders goes beyond an overlap between two highly prevalent diseases that have shared risk factors. Evidence suggests a potential causal relationship, although further research is required to verify this. Regardless of any causal relationship, the co-existence of these disorders is important to recognize since they may act in combination to heighten health risks, particularly cardiovascular risk. Thus, dentists have an important role in screening for OSA in patients presenting with PDs, and similarly, they need to evaluate periodontal health in patients requiring treatment for OSA. Here we provide a narrative review of the association between PDs and OSA to raise awareness among clinicians and promote multidisciplinary collaborations that aim at an evidence-based and effective management of such patients.

Application of psychodynamic model in the assessment and management of psychogenic voice disorder: a case report

The psychological state is considered to contribute to the overall well-being of an individual. Disequilibrium due to psychological reasons such as anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychological conditions may affect voice production entirely or partially, significantly affecting the person’s occupational, social, and emotional well-being. The present study discusses a sudden onset of aphonia in a 37-year-old female without an underlying physiological illness. The study illustrates the importance of interpreting the voice problem in the patient considering the influence of the individual's psychological, physiological, physical, emotional, and social health by applying the psychodynamic model.

Recovery at your fingertips: pilot study of an mHealth intervention for work-related stress among nursing students

BackgroundWork-related stress is detrimental to individual health and incurs substantial social costs. Interventions to tackle this problem are urgently needed, with mHealth solutions being a promising way of delivering accessible and standardized interventions on a wide scale. This study pilot tests a low-intensive mHealth intervention designed to mitigate the negative consequences of stress through promoting recovery strategies.MethodsNursing school students (N = 16) used the intervention for a month. Data were collected immediately before, immediately after, and one month after the end of the intervention. Additionally, intensive longitudinal data were collected daily during the time of the intervention. Primary outcome measures include recruitment and retention rates, engagement with and acceptability of the intervention, as well as evaluating the quality of measurement instruments.ResultsRecruitment and retention rates provide a benchmark that we need to invite 10–12 times the intended target sample size. Engagement and acceptability metrics are promising overall, showing key areas that need to be adapted to improve the intervention. Measurement quality is acceptable with instruments mostly functioning as intended.ConclusionResults show that the intervention and study protocol are feasible for conducting a randomized controlled trial given a few adjustments. The randomization algorithm needs to match the sample size in order to allocate evenly distributed experimental groups. Acceptability of the intervention may be improved through adapting the recommended recovery strategies. Some additional outcome measures are suggested to provide a more comprehensive picture of intervention effects.Trial registrationNCT06228495. Registered retrospectively 01/10/2024.

Network infrastructure and individual mental health: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Network infrastructure has changed people’s daily life through digital transformation, thus influencing social welfare and individual health. Based on the quasi-natural experiment ‘Broadband China Strategy’, this study investigates the impact of network infrastructure construction on individual mental health by utilizing a multi-period difference-in-differences model with data from China Family Panel Studies (2010–2018). The empirical results confirm that the network infrastructure construction significantly enhances the individual mental health of residents. The impact channel tests reveal that network infrastructure construction promotes individual mental health through income improving and consumption upgrading. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis suggests that the ‘Broadband China’ strategy has a more substantial impact on individual mental health in lower educated, middle-aged and elderly groups.

Examining Trends in the Food–Energy–Water Security Nexus and Its Relationships with Human Development, Population Growth, and Conflict

Abundant and accessible food, energy, and water are essential to the functioning of human societies and individual health and happiness. However, growing populations, intensifying climate change, and violent instability undermine resource security. We used data from the recently updated Pardee RAND Food–Energy–Water (FEW) Index and the INFORM risk model to assess global and regional trends in resource security and relationships with the Human Development Index (HDI), internal conflict risk, and population growth. Our analysis finds that resource security has modestly improved with an average global FEW Index improvement of 2.61%, but this figure masks significant regional disparities, with several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia regressing in terms of food and water security. We observe continued high correlations between HDI and the FEW Index (0.8664) and also find the FEW Index to be highly correlated with national income per capita (0.6547). We also find that at a global level, there is a significant negative association between trends in the FEW Index and population growth (−0.4724) during the study period, suggesting that a growing proportion of the global population is experiencing resource insecurity. Finally, our analysis suggests that several resource-insecure countries are also conflict-prone and these nations tended to do worse over the study period than similarly resource-insecure states that were internally stable.

Challenging cases in rheumatic disease pregnancy: management perspectives from reproductive rheumatologists

Pregnant women with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes compared to those without RMDs. Although evidence-based guidelines have been developed for the reproductive health care and management of these individuals, multiple areas of uncertainty exist around the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant patients with confirmed or suspected RMDs. We present a series of outpatient cases that address areas of uncertainty in the field of reproductive rheumatology. Expert opinions were elicited from rheumatologists who have expertise in the reproductive health of individuals with RMDs to build new understanding around diagnosis or treatment approaches. The cases focused on the interpretation of antiphospholipid antibodies in various clinical scenarios, diagnosis and management of nephrotic-range proteinuria during pregnancy, and the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors during pregnancy. Our objective was not to replace existing guidelines and classification criteria but rather to provide a range of expert opinions that rheumatologists might consider when tailoring treatment and care for patients, particularly in challenging situations with limited data.

Advancing school education: A proposal for modernizing the school subject “Physical Education” for today’s needs

Individual behavior is considered the most significant determinant of health (GoInvo, 2017). There are six primary lifestyle factors—physical activity (PA), diet, substance use, sleep, stress, and relationships—that collectively contribute to a holistic concept of health and well-being (American College of Lifestyle Medicine, n.d.). Evidence shows that the widespread adoption of unhealthy lifestyle habits is associated with contemporary changes in children’s phenotypes, making them more vulnerable to chronic health issues that can persist into adulthood (Hruby & Hu, 2015). This is linked to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, which has risen dramatically from 8% in 1990 to 20% in 2022 (World Health Organization, 2024). Educational settings provide an ideal environment for developing lifelong healthy habits, as the cultivation of such habits requires prolonged commitment. Physical education (PE) is a school-based subject with the potential to promote an active lifestyle; however, concerns persist regarding its adequacy and effectiveness in other aspects of health promotion (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2014). This perspective study discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of modernizing PE curriculum, including its implications for public health policy. Methods We conducted a concise overview of the literature for this perspective study, highlighting school-based health programs and identifying key advocative approaches, with the aim of providing foundational insights for the present health-policy proposal. Results From a holistic perspective, we propose that PE should evolve into lifestyle education (LE), aiming to integrate all six factors of lifestyle medicine within the educational framework. Through the LE approach, children and adolescents can acquire a comprehensive package of health-related knowledge, skills, and competencies that extend beyond PA and encompass all lifestyle components. However, transitioning from PE to LE may impact the structure of the curricula and necessitate stablishing a supplementary curriculum titled sport education (SE), aiming to enhance students’ sport-related skills such as teamwork, leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking, while also promoting abilities in stress management, concentration, and emotional regulation. To effectively transition from PE to LE and SE, educational authorities and policymakers must provide comprehensive demonstrations outlining vision, mission, goals, roles, and detailed guidelines tailored to diverse school levels and student demographics, considering factors such as gender, BMI, (dis)abilities, and socioeconomic status. Conclusion Establishing school-based LE appears crucial for addressing the growing pandemic of chronic health conditions from their earliest origins. Alongside its direct effects of individual health, LE also appears to be beneficial in promoting children’s social and cognitive growth, optimizing their academic performance, and increasing the likelihood of their future occupational success. Therefore, implementing LE is crucial before expecting children and adolescents to adhere to the existing health-related recommendations. References American College of Lifestyle Medicine. (n.d.). What is lifestyle medicine? https://lifestylemedicine.org/ GoInvo. (2017). Determinants of health. https://www.goinvo.com/vision/determinants-of-health/ Hruby, A., & Hu, F. B. (2015). The epidemiology of obesity: A big picture. Pharmacoeconomics, 33, 673-689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-014-0243-x United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2014). World-wide survey of school physical education: Final report 2013. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000229335 World Health Organization. (2024). Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

An Innovative Hybrid Model for Automatic Detection of White Blood Cells in Clinical Laboratories.

Background: Microscopic examination of peripheral blood is a standard practice in clinical medicine. Although manual examination is considered the gold standard, it presents several disadvantages, such as interobserver variability, being quite time-consuming, and requiring well-trained professionals. New automatic digital algorithms have been developed to eliminate the disadvantages of manual examination and improve the workload of clinical laboratories. Objectives: Regular analysis of peripheral blood cells and careful interpretation of their results are critical for protecting individual health and early diagnosis of diseases. Because many diseases can occur due to this, this study aims to detect white blood cells automatically. Methods: A hybrid model has been developed for this purpose. In the developed model, feature extraction has been performed with MobileNetV2 and EfficientNetb0 architectures. In the next step, the neighborhood component analysis (NCA) method eliminated unnecessary features in the feature maps so that the model could work faster. Then, different features of the same image were combined, and the extracted features were combined to increase the model's performance. Results: The optimized feature map was classified into different classifiers in the last step. The proposed model obtained a competitive accuracy value of 95.6%. Conclusions: The results obtained in the proposed model show that the proposed model can be used in the detection of white blood cells.

Health of refugees settled in Australia over time and generations: a transformative mixed methods study protocol

BackgroundRefugees resettled in Australia may experience significant physical, mental and emotional health issues on arrival and difficulty accessing mainstream healthcare that often demands specialised services. It is not known if...

Association of periodontitis with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with depression: a population-based study

To detect the association between periodontitis and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality rates among adults diagnosed with depression. Participants diagnosed with depression were selected from NHANES across three periods (1988—1994; 1999—2004; 2009—2014). Cox proportional hazards and Weibull accelerated failure time (AFT) models were utilized to calculate hazard ratios (HRs), time ratios (TRs), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association between moderate-to-severe periodontitis and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality among participants with depression. white blood counts and C-reactive protein were used to assess the mediating role of systemic inflammation. Among the 1,189 participants with a median follow-up of 9.25 years, 133 deaths were recorded. After adjusting for multiple variables, moderate-to-severe periodontitis was obvious associated with an increased risk of cancer-related mortality in individuals with depression (Cox: HR 3.22, 95% CI 1.51—6.83, P = 0.002; AFT: TR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52—0.94, P = 0.017). Neither WBC nor CRP significantly mediate the association between periodontitis and cancer-related mortality. The risk of cancer-related mortality rose with the severity of periodontitis (P for trend = 0.021). However, no association was observed between moderate-to-severe periodontitis and other kinds of mortality. Moderate-to-severe periodontitis is linked to an elevated risk of cancer-related mortality among adults diagnosed with depression, with the mortality risk increasing alongside the severity of periodontitis. No significant mediating effect of systemic inflammation was found in this association. These findings highlight the importance of addressing periodontal health in individuals with depression. By uncovering the association between periodontitis and mortality in this population, our study underscores the potential benefits of preventive dental care and periodontal treatment in reducing the risk of cancer-related mortality in individuals with depression.

Remote Exercise Engagement Among Individuals With Cardiovascular Disease

Purpose: To systematically review the literature regarding barriers and facilitators to remote exercise among individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Review Methods: Six databases were searched (inception—December 2023). Studies including barriers and facilitators for remote exercise reported by individuals living with CVD were considered. Quality was rated using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT). Results were synthesized following a thematic analysis approach. Characteristics of interventions were reported using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR). Summary: From an initial pool of 8543 records, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 13 were qualitative studies, with individual interviews being the most frequent data extraction method. Nine studies received 5/5 MMAT scores (ie, high quality). Twelve studies reported remote exercise interventions, mostly delivered within cardiac rehabilitation, by physiotherapists, nurses, and dietitians, predominantly via telephone calls or videoconferences, with only one study incorporating text messages. Five key themes influencing remote exercise interventions were identified: technology (encompassing access and literacy, self-monitoring/motivation, and security concerns), individual health considerations (health/personal aspects and coronavirus disease-2019), social factors (support from health care team and family/social support), environment (facilities), and logistical factors (time and displacement). Several themes served as both facilitators and barriers. Key insights for remote exercise interventions included mobile accessibility, interactive chat sessions, minimal click interactions, short sessions, personalized feedback, and flexible timing. Results emphasize the importance of promoting social interaction and support between participants and health care teams to mitigate barriers and enhance facilitators in remote exercise interventions for individuals with CVD.

Short- and long-term effects of concurrent aerobic and resistance training on circulating irisin levels in overweight or obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Concurrent training (CT) is emerging as a practical and effective approach to enhance body composition, cardiovascular function, and muscle mass, thereby elevating overall individual health. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of short- and long-term concurrent aerobic and resistance training on circulating irisin levels in overweight or obese individuals. The electronic databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Embase, Wan Fang Database, and Web of Science, were systematically searched for articles on "concurrent training" and "irisin" published from their inception to 30 November 2023. The pooled effect size was determined using standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The study protocol received registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023494163). All nine studies, encompassing a total of 264 participants, were randomized controlled trials and met the eligibility criteria. Results indicate that short- and long-term concurrent training moderately increased circulating irisin levels compared to the control group (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI [0.33-0.80], p=0.00; I 2 = 36.6%, heterogeneity p=0.106). Subgroup analyses revealed that both equal to or less than 10 weeks (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI [0.18-1.37], p=0.01; I 2 = 62.3%, heterogeneity p=0.03) and more than 10 weeks (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI [0.14-0.76], p=0.00; I 2 = 0%, heterogeneity p=0.54) of concurrent training significantly increased circulating irisin levels in overweight or obese individuals. There were no significant between-group differences (I 2=0%, p=0.34). Additionally, concurrent training significantly increased irisin levels in overweight or obese participants (SMD = 1.06, 95% CI [0.34-1.78], p=0.00; I 2 = 50.6%, heterogeneity p=0.13) and in type 2 diabetes patients (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI [0.30-1.10], p=0.00; I 2 = 0%, heterogeneity p=0.99). However, no significant effect was observed in patients with metabolic syndrome (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI [-0.25-0.68], p=0.37; I 2 = 38.7%, heterogeneity p=0.18). There were significant between-group differences (I 2=53.9%, p=0.11). Lastly, concurrent training significantly increased circulating irisin levels in overweight or obese individuals aged 45-60 years (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI [0.25-0.86], p=0.00; I 2 = 6.5%, heterogeneity p=0.38), and a significant increase in irisin levels was observed 12 h post-intervention (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI [0.35-1.05], p=0.00; I 2 = 0%, heterogeneity p=0.74). However, none of the above categorical variables showed significant between-group differences. Short- and long-term concurrent training can effectively improve circulating irisin levels in overweight or obese individuals. However, the effects of short- and long-term concurrent training should consider the participants' health status, age, and the timing of post-exercise measurements to maximize health benefits.