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
Reilly, J.J., Andrew, R., Abdeta, C., Azevedo, L.B., Farias, N.A., Barak, S., ... Aubert, S. (2025). . Sports Medicine, 55, 203-219.
Azevedo, L., Downes, M., Eastburn, S., Covell, J., & Bissell, P. (2025). . Child: Care, Health and Development, 51 (1).
Azevedo, L., Cucato, G.G., & Morseth, B. (2024). . Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11.
Van der Graaf, P., Azevedo, L., El-Zerbi, C., Landindome,, P.N., & Watson, P. (2024). . Perspectives in Public Health, 144 (5), 304-311.
Newton, D., Stephenson, J., Azevedo, L., Sah, R., Poundel, N., & Richardson, O. (2024). . Public Health, 231, 198-203.
De Craemer, M., Veldman, S.L.C., Azevedo, L., Bardid, F., Del Pozo Cruz, J., Engberg, E., ... Reilly, J.J. (2024). . The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 100869.
Eskandari, F., Kumah, E.A., Azevedo, L., Stephenson, J., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2023). . Caries research, 57 (3), 197-210.
Hemingway, K., Butt, J., Spray, C., Olusoga, P., & Beretta De Azevedo, L. (2023). . Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy.
Idowu, O.S., Azevedo, L., Zohoori, F.V., Kanmodi, K., & Pak, T. (2023). . BMJ open, 13 (7).
Basterfield, L., Machaira, T., Jones, D., Rapley, T., Araujo-Soares, V., Cameron, N., & Azevedo, L. (2023). . Children (Basel, Switzerland), 10 (1).
Ajay, K., Azevedo, L., Haste, A., Morris, A.J., Giles, E., Gopu, B.P., ... Zohoori, F.V. (2023). . Frontiers in oral health, 4.
K P Subramanian, M., der Graaf, P.V., Hayes, L., Dawson, R., Sachdeva, K., & Azevedo, L. (2022). Barriers and Facilitators for Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Post- Partum? Findings from a Qualitative Study to Inform the Design of an Intervention for Active Women. Obstetrics and Gynecology 香蕉视频, 05 (04).
Gopu, B.P., Azevedo, L., Duckworth, R.M., Subramanian, M.K.P., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2022). . International journal of environmental research and public health, 20 (1).
Kumah, E.A., Eskandari, F., Azevedo, L., John, S., & Zohoori, F.V. (2022). . BMC oral health, 22.
Azevedo, L., Lambert, M.I., Vaughan, C.L., O'Connor, C.M., & Schwellnus, M.P. (2022). . British journal of sports medicine, 43 (4), 288-292.
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.
Pears, M., Kola-Palmer, S., & Azevedo, L. (2022). . Sport sciences for health, 18 (1), 179-191.
Graham, M., Dixon, K., Azevedo, L., Wright, M.D., & Innerd, A. (2022). . PloS one, 17 (2).
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.
Fernandes, M.S., Sabino-Arias, I.T., Dionizio, A., Fabricio, M.F., Trevizol, J.S., Martini, T., ... Buzalaf, M.A.R. (2022). . Metabolites, 12 (2).
Jones, D., Innerd, A., Giles, E.L., & Azevedo, L. (2021). . International journal of environmental research and public health, 18 (22), 11931.
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.
Weston, K., Innerd, A., Azevedo, L., Bock, S., & Batterham, A.M. (2021). . Frontiers in sports and active living, 3.
Hayes, L., McParlin, C., Azevedo, L., Jones, D., Newham, J., Olajide, J., ... Heslehurst, N. (2021). . Nutrients, 13 (3).
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.
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.
P Rigby, B., van der Graaf, P., Azevedo, L., Hayes, L., Gardner, B., & J Dodd-Reynolds, C. (2020). . BMC public health, 20 (1).
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.
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.
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.
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聽years of age: A systematic review. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 20 (10), 1441-1464.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Azevedo, L.B., Zohoori, F.V., Ferreira, L.A., Grizzo, L., Kato, M.T., Buzalaf, M.A.R., ... Amaral, S.L. (2018). Methodological Considerations to Evaluate the Effect of Physical Activity on Fluoride Metabolism in Children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 50 (5S), 822.
Harris, L., Hamilton, S., Azevedo, L.B., Olajide, J., De Br煤n, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
de Almeida Santana, C.C., Farah, B.Q., Azevedo, L., Hill, J.O., Gunnarsdottir, T., Botero, J.P., ... do Prado, W.L. (2017). . Pediatric exercise science, 29 (2), 220-227.
Azevedo, L.B., Vidoni, C., & Dinsdale, S. (2016). Effects of 鈥淔air Play Game鈥 Strategy on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Physical Education. The Physical Educator, 73 (4), 757-776.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vidoni, C., Azevedo, L., & Eberline, A. (2012). Effects of a group contingency strategy on middle school physical education students鈥 heart rates. European Physical Education Review, 18 (1), 78-96.
Azevedo, L., Lambert, M.I., Zogaib, P.S., & Barros Neto, T.L. (2010). . Journal of sports sciences, 28 (4), 407-414.
Schwellnus, M.P., Azevedo, L., Rayner, R., Arendse, R., & Noakes, T. (2004). Local Anesthesia of the Sole of the Foot Alters Lower Limb Kinematics and Kinetics During Running. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36 (Supplement), S236.
Arendse, R.E., Noakes, T.D., Azevedo, L., Romanov, N., Schwellnus, M.P., & Fletcher, G. (2004). . Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 36 (2), 272-277.
Santana, C., Azevedo, L., Ferreira, L., Neves, P., Prado, E., & Prado, W. (n.d.). Is the association between unhealthy weight and academic performance influenced by children鈥檚 physical activity level? Revista Brasileira de Atividade F铆sica & Sa煤de, 20 (3), 252.
Harry, B., Edward, K.-.L., Garvey, L., Stephenson, J., Beretta De Azevedo, L., & Benson, A.C. (n.d.). . International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.
Conference papers
Azevedo, L.B., van Sluijs, E.M.F., Moore, H.J., & Hesketh, K. (2019). Determinants of Change in Sedentary Behaviour In Young Children: a Systematic Review. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 51 (6S), 727.
Azevedo, L.B., Zohoori, F.V., Ferreira, L.A., Grizzo, L., Kato, M.T., Rabelo Buzalaf, M.A., ... Amaral, S.L. (2018). Methodological Considerations to Evaluate the Effect of Physical Activity on Fluoride Metabolism in Children. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 50 (5), 822.
Azevedo, L.B., Ling, J., Soos, I., Robalino, S., & Ells, L. (2016). Effectiveness of Sedentary Behaviour Interventions on Body Mass Index in Children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48, 375.
Azevedo, L.B., Watson, D.B., Haighton, C., & Adams, J. (2015). Health-related Quality Of Life In School Children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47 (5S), 433.
Vidoni, C., Lee, C.-.H., & Azevedo, L.B. (2014). Fair Play Game: A Strategy to Increase Engagement in Physical Education. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT, 85, 88.
Azevedo, L.B., Vidoni, C., & Dinsdale, S. (2014). Effectiveness of a Group Contingency Strategy on British Physical Education Students鈥 Active Engagement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46, 521.
Azevedo, L.B., & Vidoni, C. (2013). Increase on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity with New Teaching Strategy in Physical Education Lessons. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 45 (5), 494.
Innerd, A.L., Taylor, K.L., Azevedo, L.B., & Batterham, A.M. (2012). Physical Activity Modulation In 9-11 Year Old Children: Exercise Classes In The Teaching Environment ("EXCITE"). MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 44, 240.
Azevedo, L.B., Taylor, K.L., Innerd, A.L., & Batterham, A.M. (2012). Moderate Intensity Cutpoints for Vertical Axis and Triaxial Vector Magnitude in Simulated Lifestyle Physical Activities. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 44, 642.
Taylor, K.L., Innerd, A.L., Azevedo, L.B., Bock, S., & Batterham, A.M. (2012). High-intensity Training And Cardio-metabolic Risk Marker Changes In Adolescents: Project FFAB (Fun Fast Activity Blasts). MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 44, 764.
Azevedo, L.B., Lambert, M.I., Vaughan, C.L., & Schwellnus, M.P. (2008). Biomechanics and EMG Activity During Painful Running in Runners with Achilles Tendinopathy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40 (5), S27.
Schwellnus, M.P., Azevedo, L.B., Lambert, M., & Vaughan, C.L. (2005). The Effect Of Socks On Running Biomechanics. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37 (Supplement), S214.
Schwellnus, M.P., Azevedo, L., Rayner, R., Arendse, R., & Noakes, T. (2004). Local anesthesia of the sole of the foot alters lower limb kinematics and kinetics during running. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 36 (5), S236.
Book chapters
Colantonio, E., Mineiro, A., Scalia Barros, M.K., Silva, R., Steola, M.L., S谩, C., ... Azevedo, L. (n.d.). FITNESS PROFILE OF CHILDREN LIVING IN A DEPRIVED AREA IN BRAZIL: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY. In Open Science 香蕉视频 II. (pp. 325-342). Editora Cient铆fica Digital:
Postgraduate supervision
Prof Azevedo is currently supervising nine PhD students in different areas related to physical activity and public health.