NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING HEALTH IN SEDENTARY ADULTS.

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represent a major public health challenge. Among the modifiable risk factors associated with their development, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits stand out. In this context, nutritional interventions combined with regular physical activity have been widely recommended for the prevention and management of these conditions. This study aimed to analyze scientific evidence regarding the effects of these strategies in sedentary adults. An integrative literature review was conducted using searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar databases, including studies published between 2014 and 2024. The analyzed studies demonstrated that the combination of adequate nutrition and physical activity promotes significant improvements in glycemic control, lipid profile, body composition, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers. Furthermore, a reduction in the risk of developing and progressing diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases was observed. It is concluded that the association between nutritional strategies and regular physical activity is an effective tool for health promotion, prevention of NCDs, and improvement of quality of life in the adult population.