Metabolic Diseases and Lifestyle Medicine: From Mechanisms to Clinical Practice

Metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represent a growing global health crisis, driven by a combination of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Despite significant progress in understanding the biology of these conditions, the integration of lifestyle medicine into mainstream prevention and management strategies remains uneven. Current research has highlighted the central roles of gut microbiota dysbiosis, persistent low-grade inflammation, disrupted circadian rhythms, and metabolic signaling defects in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. However, inconsistencies in translating these findings into effective and equitable clinical practice persist. The growing body of evidence underscores the need to better understand how lifestyle factors influence molecular mechanisms and to develop more practical, scalable interventions that not only prevent but also support the reversal of metabolic dysfunction in diverse populations.This Research Topic aims to advance the translation of molecular and mechanistic knowledge into practical clinical and public health solutions for metabolic diseases through lifestyle medicine. Central to this objective is elucidating the exact molecular underpinnings by which changes in nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and psychosocial stress shape metabolic health. The topic encourages investigation into novel biomarkers for disease progression and intervention monitoring, assessment of both established and emerging lifestyle strategies—including the roles of digital health and personalized medicine—and evaluation of patient-centered approaches to maximize adherence and long-term efficacy. By bridging laboratory advances and real-world care, this Research Topic seeks to define new, interdisciplinary standards for prevention, treatment, and sustainable management of metabolic disorders.The scope of this Research Topic spans the continuum from bench to bedside, addressing both mechanistic and applied aspects of lifestyle medicine in metabolic health. Manuscripts should focus within the boundaries of modifiable lifestyle factors, molecular pathways, and translational intervention approaches, excluding purely pharmacological or surgical strategies. To gather further insights into these priorities, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Pathophysiological mechanisms linking diet, exercise, sleep, and stress to metabolic diseaseso Biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of lifestyle-modifiable metabolic disorderso Efficacy and mechanistic insights of structured lifestyle interventions (e.g., fasting-mimicking diets, high-intensity interval training) in reversing MASLD and type 2 diabeteso The application of digital health, AI, and wearable technologies in personalized lifestyle modificationo The role of gut microbiota and pre/probiotics in mediating the effects of lifestyleo Socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological determinants of lifestyle behaviorso Strategies for integrating lifestyle medicine into primary care and health policyo Economic evaluations of lifestyle intervention programs Topic editors: Liu Dongbo, Quanmin Li, Jing Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76893/metabolic-diseases-and-lifestyle-medicine-from-mechanisms-to-clinical-practice