Professor Liane Beretta de Azevedo
Professor in Public Health and Physical Activity
Summary
I specialise in early childhood movement behaviour, focusing on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. I have conducted numerous research studies to explore the factors that influence these behaviours and to develop interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in children and young people. I am particularly interested in how the use of interactive electronic devices at a young age can affect children's development, health, and overall well-being in the long term.
About
My research encompasses a variety of topics, primarily focusing on promoting physical activity among children and adolescents. I implement interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour and investigates the effects of physical activity on motor skills and cognitive development in young people.
My work has significantly contributed to public health guidelines, including the UK Chief Medical Officer's Physical Activity Guidelines 2019. I have conducted several systematic reviews, including Cochrane reviews, that addressed the issues of obesity, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour.
I have also participated in externally funded projects designed to develop or evaluate physical activity interventions. Throughout her career, I have built strong collaborations with sports organisations, local authorities, and community and voluntary sectors. Additionally, I have established numerous research partnerships with scholars both in the UK and internationally. Currently, I lead a £1.5 million NIHR grant that assesses the impact of interactive electronic technology on young children.
Teaching
School of Sport and Physical Activity
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Public Health and Physical Activity
Publications
Journal articles
Azevedo, L., Downes, M., Eastburn, S., Covell, J., & Bissell, P. (2025). Early Years Practitioners' and Public Health Consultants' Perspectives on the Use of Interactive Electronic Devices in Young Children: A Qualitative Study. Child: Care, Health and Development, 51 (1). http://doi.org/10.1111/cch.70022
Azevedo, L., Cucato, G.G., & Morseth, B. (2024). Editorial: Sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic health. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11. http://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1498410
Van der Graaf, P., Azevedo, L., El-Zerbi, C., Landindome,, P.N., & Watson, P. (2024). Implementing creative dance activities for primary school children to improve health and wellbeing: a qualitative study in the North East England. Perspectives in Public Health, 144 (5), 304-311. http://doi.org/10.1177/17579139241282549
Reilly, J.J., Andrew, R., Abdeta, C., Azevedo, L.B., Farias, N.A., Barak, S., ... Aubert, S. (2024). Improving National and International Surveillance of Movement Behaviours in Childhood and Adolescence: An International Modified Delphi Study. Sports Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02104-2
Newton, D., Stephenson, J., Azevedo, L., Sah, R., Poundel, N., & Richardson, O. (2024). The impact of social determinants on health outcomes in a region in the North of England: a structural equation modelling analysis. Public Health, 231, 198-203. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2024.03.024
De Craemer, M., Veldman, S.L.C., Azevedo, L., Bardid, F., Del Pozo Cruz, J., Engberg, E., ... Reilly, J.J. (2024). Practical steps needed to achieve impact of the WHO 2019 movement behaviour guidelines for children under the age of 5: the SUNRISE Study Europe Group evaluation. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 100869. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100869
Eskandari, F., Kumah, E.A., Azevedo, L., Stephenson, J., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2023). Fluoride exposure in community prevention programmes for oral health using nail clippings and spot urine samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Caries research, 57 (3), 197-210. http://doi.org/10.1159/000533721
Hemingway, K., Butt, J., Spray, C., Olusoga, P., & Beretta De Azevedo, L. (2023). Exploring students experiences of secondary school Physical Education in England. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. http://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2023.2256771
Idowu, O.S., Azevedo, L., Zohoori, F.V., Kanmodi, K., & Pak, T. (2023). Health risks associated with the production and usage of charcoal: a systematic review. BMJ open, 13 (7). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065914
Basterfield, L., Machaira, T., Jones, D., Rapley, T., Araujo-Soares, V., Cameron, N., & Azevedo, L. (2023). Early Years Physical Activity and Motor Skills Intervention-A Feasibility Study to Evaluate an Existing Training Programme for Early Years Educators. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 10 (1). http://doi.org/10.3390/children10010145
Ajay, K., Azevedo, L., Haste, A., Morris, A.J., Giles, E., Gopu, B.P., ... Zohoori, F.V. (2023). App-based oral health promotion interventions on modifiable risk factors associated with early childhood caries: A systematic review. Frontiers in oral health, 4. http://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2023.1125070
Gopu, B.P., Azevedo, L., Duckworth, R.M., Subramanian, M.K.P., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2022). The Relationship between Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Outcomes from Gestation to Adulthood-A Systematic Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20 (1). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010022
Kumah, E.A., Eskandari, F., Azevedo, L., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2022). Mapping the evidence for monitoring fluoride exposure in community prevention programmes for oral health using nail clippings and spot urine samples: a scoping review. BMC oral health, 22. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-022-02615-2
Azevedo, L., Lambert, M.I., Vaughan, C.L., O'Connor, C.M., & Schwellnus, M.P. (2022). Biomechanical variables associated with Achilles tendinopathy in runners. British journal of sports medicine, 43 (4), 288-292. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.053421
Graham, M., Azevedo, L., Wright, M., & Innerd, A.L. (2022). The Effectiveness of Fundamental Movement Skill Interventions on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Levels in 5- to 11-Year-Old Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52 (5), 1067-1090. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01599-3
Pears, M., Kola-Palmer, S., & Azevedo, L. (2022). The impact of sitting time and physical activity on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Sport sciences for health, 18 (1), 179-191. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00791-2
Graham, M., Dixon, K., Azevedo, L., Wright, M.D., & Innerd, A. (2022). A socio-ecological examination of the primary school playground: Primary school pupil and staff perceived barriers and facilitators to a physically active playground during break and lunch-times. PloS one, 17 (2). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261812
Azevedo, L.B., Stephenson, J., Ells, L., Adu-Ntiamoah, S., DeSmet, A., Giles, E.L., ... Hudson, M. (2022). The effectiveness of e-health interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 23 (2), e13373. http://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13373
Fernandes, M.S., Sabino-Arias, I.T., Dionizio, A., Fabricio, M.F., Trevizol, J.S., Martini, T., ... Buzalaf, M.A.R. (2022). Effect of Physical Exercise and Genetic Background on Glucose Homeostasis and Liver/Muscle Proteomes in Mice. Metabolites, 12 (2). http://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12020117
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E.L., & Azevedo, L. (2021). The Association between Physical Activity, Motor Skills and School Readiness in 4-5-Year-Old Children in the Northeast of England. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18 (22), 11931. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211931
Graham, M., Wright, M., Azevedo, L.B., Macpherson, T., Jones, D., & Innerd, A. (2021). The school playground environment as a driver of primary school children's physical activity behaviour: A direct observation case study. Journal of sports sciences, 39 (20), 2266-2278. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1928423
Weston, K., Innerd, A., Azevedo, L., Bock, S., & Batterham, A.M. (2021). Process Evaluation of Project FFAB (Fun Fast Activity Blasts): A Multi-Activity School-Based High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention. Frontiers in sports and active living, 3. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.737900
Hayes, L., McParlin, C., Azevedo, L., Jones, D., Newham, J., Olajide, J., ... Heslehurst, N. (2021). The Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Reduction, Diet and Physical Activity Interventions in Improving Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses. Nutrients, 13 (3). http://doi.org/10.3390/nu13031036
Mahmood, M., Azevedo, L.B., Maguire, A., Buzalaf, M., & Zohoori, F.V. (2021). Pharmacokinetics of fluoride in human adults: The effect of exercise. Chemosphere, 262, 127796. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127796
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E.L., & Azevedo, L.B. (2020). Association between fundamental motor skills and physical activity in the early years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of sport and health science, 9 (6), 542-552. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.03.001
P Rigby, B., van der Graaf, P., Azevedo, L., Hayes, L., Gardner, B., & J Dodd-Reynolds, C. (2020). Challenges, opportunities and solutions for local physical activity stakeholders: an implementation case study from a cross-sectoral physical activity network in Northeast England. BMC public health, 20 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09847-3
Narimani, M., Esmaeilzadeh, S., Pesola, A.J., Haapala, E.A., Heidari, B., & Azevedo, L.B. (2020). Allometrically scaled explosive strength, but not static strength or maximal oxygen uptake is associated with better central processing time in young males. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 60 (7), 947-956. http://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.20.10273-1
Heslehurst, N., Hayes, L., Jones, D., Newham, J., Olajide, J., McLeman, L., ... Azevedo, L. (2020). The effectiveness of smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, diet and physical activity interventions in changing behaviours during pregnancy: A systematic review of systematic reviews. PloS one, 15 (5), e0232774. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232774
Narimani, M., Esmaeilzadeh, S., Pesola, A.J., Azevedo, L.B., Moradi, A., Heidari, B., & Kashfi-Moghadam, M. (2019). Impact of obesity on central processing time rather than overall reaction time in young adult men. Eating and weight disorders : EWD, 24 (6), 1051-1061. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00752-2
Azevedo, L.B., van Sluijs, E.M.F., Moore, H.J., & Hesketh, K. (2019). Determinants of change in accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour in children 0 to 6 years of age: A systematic review. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 20 (10), 1441-1464. http://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12882
Ells, L.J., Rees, K., Brown, T., Mead, E., Al-Khudairy, L., Azevedo, L., ... Demaio, A. (2019). Correction: Interventions for treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: an overview of Cochrane reviews. International journal of obesity (2005), 43 (8), 1653. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0358-4
Narimani, M., Esmaeilzadeh, S., Azevedo, L.B., Moradi, A., Heidari, B., & Kashfi-Moghadam, M. (2019). Association Between Weight Status and Executive Function in Young Adults. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55 (7), E363. http://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55070363
Idowu, O.S., Azevedo, L.B., Valentine, R.A., Swan, J., Vasantavada, P.V., Maguire, A., & Zohoori, F.V. (2019). The use of urinary fluoride excretion to facilitate monitoring fluoride intake: A systematic scoping review. PloS one, 14 (9), e0222260. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222260
Innerd, A.L., Azevedo, L.B., & Batterham, A.M. (2019). The effect of a curriculum-based physical activity intervention on accelerometer-assessed physical activity in schoolchildren: A non-randomised mixed methods controlled before-and-after study. PloS one, 14 (12), e0225997. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225997
Moradi, A., Sadri Damirchi, E., Narimani, M., Esmaeilzadeh, S., Dziembowska, I., Azevedo, L.B., & Luiz do Prado, W. (2019). Association between Physical and Motor Fitness with Cognition in Children. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55 (1), E7. http://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55010007
Esmaeilzadeh, S., Hartman, E., Farzizadeh, R., Azevedo, L.B., Kalantari, H.-.A., Dziembowska, I., ... Abravesh, A. (2018). Association between physical fitness and cognitive performance in 19-24 year old males. Biology of sport, 35 (4), 355-362. http://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2018.78056
Ells, L.J., Rees, K., Brown, T., Mead, E., Al-Khudairy, L., Azevedo, L., ... Demaio, A. (2018). Interventions for treating children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: an overview of Cochrane reviews. International journal of obesity (2005), 42 (11), 1823-1833. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-018-0230-y
Harris, L., Hamilton, S., Azevedo, L.B., Olajide, J., De Brún, C., Waller, G., ... Ells, L. (2018). Intermittent fasting interventions for treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 16 (2), 507-547. http://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-2016-003248
Amaral, S.L., Azevedo, L.B., Buzalaf, M.A.R., Fabricio, M.F., Fernandes, M.S., Valentine, R.A., ... Zohoori, F.V. (2018). Effect of chronic exercise on fluoride metabolism in fluorosis-susceptible mice exposed to high fluoride. Scientific reports, 8 (1), 3211. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21616-2
Santana, C.C.A., Hill, J.O., Azevedo, L.B., Gunnarsdottir, T., & Prado, W.L. (2017). The association between obesity and academic performance in youth: a systematic review. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 18 (10), 1191-1199. http://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12582
Santana, C.C.A., Azevedo, L.B., Cattuzzo, M.T., Hill, J.O., Andrade, L.P., & Prado, W.L. (2017). Physical fitness and academic performance in youth: A systematic review. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 27 (6), 579-603. http://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12773
Mead, E., Brown, T., Rees, K., Azevedo, L.B., Whittaker, V., Jones, D., ... Ells, L.J. (2017). Diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obese children from the age of 6 to 11 years. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 6, CD012651. http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012651
Al-Khudairy, L., Loveman, E., Colquitt, J.L., Mead, E., Johnson, R.E., Fraser, H., ... Rees, K. (2017). Diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obese adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 6, CD012691. http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012691
de Almeida Santana, C.C., Farah, B.Q., Azevedo, L., Hill, J.O., Gunnarsdottir, T., Botero, J.P., ... do Prado, W.L. (2017). Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Overweight With Academic Performance in 12-Year-Old Brazilian Children. Pediatric exercise science, 29 (2), 220-227. http://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2016-0048
Dinsdale, S., Azevedo, L.B., Shucksmith, J., Newham, J., Ells, L.J., Jones, D., & Heslehurst, N. (2016). Effectiveness of weight management, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction interventions in changing behaviors during pregnancy: an umbrella review protocol. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 14 (10), 29-47. http://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-2016-003162
Azevedo, L.B., Ling, J., Soos, I., Robalino, S., & Ells, L. (2016). The effectiveness of sedentary behaviour interventions for reducing body mass index in children and adolescents: systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 17 (7), 623-635. http://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12414
Burges Watson, D., Adams, J., Azevedo, L.B., & Haighton, C. (2016). Promoting physical activity with a school-based dance mat exergaming intervention: qualitative findings from a natural experiment. BMC public health, 16, 609. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3308-2
Innerd, A.L., & Azevedo, L.B. (2016). The Energy Expenditure of Free-Living Physical Activities in Primary Schoolchildren. Journal of physical activity & health, 13 (6 Suppl 1), S57-S61. http://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2015-0724
Machaira, T., Azevedo, L.B., Hamilton, S., Ells, L.J., Lingam, R., & Shucksmith, J. (2016). Early intervention programs using volunteers for child development and nutrition: a mixed methods systematic review protocol. JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 14 (5), 44-56. http://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-2016-002665
Wellburn, S., Ryan, C.G., Azevedo, L.B., Ells, L., Martin, D.J., Atkinson, G., & Batterham, A.M. (2016). Displacing Sedentary Time: Association with Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 48 (4), 641-647. http://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000000816
Colquitt, J.L., Loveman, E., O'Malley, C., Azevedo, L.B., Mead, E., Al-Khudairy, L., ... Rees, K. (2016). Diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in preschool children up to the age of 6 years. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 3, CD012105. http://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012105
Weston, K.L., Azevedo, L.B., Bock, S., Weston, M., George, K.P., & Batterham, A.M. (2016). Effect of Novel, School-Based High-Intensity Interval Training (HIT) on Cardiometabolic Health in Adolescents: Project FFAB (Fun Fast Activity Blasts) - An Exploratory Controlled Before-And-After Trial. PloS one, 11 (8), e0159116. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159116
V Zohoori, F., Innerd, A., Azevedo, L.B., Whitford, G.M., & Maguire, A. (2015). Effect of exercise on fluoride metabolism in adult humans: a pilot study. Scientific reports, 5, 16905. http://doi.org/10.1038/srep16905
Cheung, P.P.Y., & Azevedo, L.B. (2015). Sensory integration and response to balance perturbation in overweight physically active individuals. Journal of motor behavior, 47 (5), 436-441. http://doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2015.1007914
Azevedo, L.B., Burges Watson, D., Haighton, C., & Adams, J. (2014). The effect of dance mat exergaming systems on physical activity and health-related outcomes in secondary schools: results from a natural experiment. BMC public health, 14, 951. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-951
Vidoni, C., Lee, C.-.H., & Azevedo, L.B. (2014). Fair Play Game: a group contingency strategy to increase students' active behaviours in physical education. Early Child Development and Care, 184 (8), 1127-1141. http://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2013.847834
Vidoni, C., Azevedo, L., & Eberline, A. (2012). Effects of a group contingency strategy on middle school physical education students’ heart rates. European Physical Education Review, 18 (1), 78-96. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x11430652
Azevedo, L., Lambert, M.I., Zogaib, P.S., & Barros Neto, T.L. (2010). Maximal and submaximal physiological responses to adaptation to deep water running. Journal of sports sciences, 28 (4), 407-414. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640410903527813
Arendse, R.E., Noakes, T.D., Azevedo, L., Romanov, N., Schwellnus, M.P., & Fletcher, G. (2004). Reduced eccentric loading of the knee with the pose running method. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 36 (2), 272-277. http://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000113684.61351.b0
Postgraduate supervision
Prof Azevedo is currently supervising nine PhD students in different areas related to physical activity and public health.