holistic evaluation of lifestyle and performance diagnostics (help-d): a theoretical framework for screening and managing non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases (ncds) encompass a range of chronic conditions characterized by gradual transitions from health to disease and complex disruptions within the biological networks that underlie human pathologies. the cumulative impact of ncds results in an estimated annual mortality of approximately 41 million individuals. research has identified various modifiable risk factors associated with ncds, which may act as behavioral precursors to these biological disruptions. furthermore, lifestyle-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in managing or even reversing ncds. thus, our objective was to develop a theoretical framework for screening and managing ncds within local gymnasiums, positioning these facilities as a critical interface between healthcare and lifestyle medicine.we conducted a narrative review employing predefined search terms combined with boolean operators across three databases (google scholar, pubmed, and proquest) from december 1, 2024, to june 12, 2025. the literature search proceeded through three phases, beginning with initial search strings and evolving into 14 distinct keywords. subsequently, we applied snowballing and forward citation strategies to align with the extensive scope of the review. a prioritization method was utilized to evaluate the relevance of included studies, and a modified feasibility assessment framework was employed to compare various screening modalities. this narrative review culminated in the development of the holistic evaluation of lifestyle and performance diagnostics (help-d) framework.the proposed framework includes a sociodemographic analysis, a prescreening tool, a lifestyle questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, an overhead squat assessment, handgrip strength testing, and a maximal oxygen uptake evaluation, along with assessments of potential confounding factors (e.g., caffeine intake). to demonstrate its diagnostic and inferential potential, we applied the model to the population of the state of kuwait. although the incorporated screening tools are based on empirical research, the model does present contemporary limitations that warrant a pilot study. upon validation, the theoretical help-d framework shows promise for broad implementation.