This study employed a quasi-experimental design in a community-based study translating the results of our recent findings on the combined effects of Tai Chi and weight loss on physical function and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. A 16-week intervention was conducted to assess the impact of Tai Chi plus a behavioral weight loss program (TCWL, n = 29) on obese (body mass index [BMI] = 35.4 ± 0.8 kg/m²) older (68.2 ± 1.5 yr.) women compared to a control group (CON, n = 9, BMI = 38.0 ± 1.5 kg/m², 65.6 ± 2.7 yr.), which was asked to maintain their normal lifestyle. The TCWL group lost weight (1.6 ± 2.9 kg, P = 0.006) while the CON group did not (1.2 ± 1.9 kg, P = 0.106). Physical functioning as measured by the short physical performance battery improved in TCWL when compared to the CON group (β = 1.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.76, P < 0.001). TCWL also improved in sit-and-reach flexibility (β = -2.27, 95% CI: -4.09, -0.46, P = 0.016), body fat mass (BMI, β = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.26, P = 0.002), waist circumference (β = -1.78, 95% CI: -2.83, -0.72, P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (β = -16.41, 95% CI: -21.35, -11.48, P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (β = -9.52, 95% CI: -12.65, -6.39, P < 0.001). Thus, TCWL intervention may represent an effective strategy to improve physical function and ameliorate CHD risk in the older adult population.

Obesity is a major health problem in the USA, especially in minority populations over the age of 60 years, and the aging process can cause adverse effects on physical function. Previous research has shown that Tai Chi, resistance training (RT), and diet result in overall health improvements. However, the combination of these specific interventions has yet to be translated to obese older women in an urban setting. The purpose of this study was to examine a combined intervention on the primary outcomes of physical function and body composition. Using a nonrandomized design, 26 obese women (65.2 ± 8.1 years) completed a 12-week intervention; participants were assigned to an intervention (EXD) group or a control (CON) group. The EXD group (n = 17) participated in Tai Chi, RT, and a dietary session. The CON group (n = 9) was asked to continue their normal lifestyle. Timed up and go (TUG) time was reduced by 0.64 ± 2.1 seconds (P = 0.04) in the EXD group while the CON group saw a borderline significant increase of 0.71 sec (P = 0.051). The combined intervention helped improve performance on TUG time, but there were no significant increases in other body composition or function measures.

Resilience is the ability to recover after a physical, emotional, financial, or social challenge. Limited research exists on the impact of dietary and physical activity interventions on resiliency. Fifty‐four obese, older women were recruited at two senior centers for a 16‐week community‐based intervention study that implemented a modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and Tai Chi (TC) exercise. At baseline, participants’ mean age was 68.2±7.7 years, with BMI of 35.4±4.3 kg/m2, and total cholesterol of 200.7±33.1 mg/dL. The mean Dietary Screening Tool (DST) score was 67.3±10.6 and the mean physical resiliency scale score was 12.96 ± 2.09. Significance was set at p<0.05. There was no significant difference at baseline between waitlist control (WC) and intervention (DASH‐TC) participants in any of the reported variables. One‐way repeated measures ANOVA comparing baseline to post‐intervention was significant for total DST score, BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and glucose; all with a large effect size. There was no significant interaction effect between WC and DASH‐TC groups in terms of physical resiliency; this may be related to a possible Hawthorne effect. The combination of DASH diet plus TC didn't seem to impact resiliency in this population. However, further research is needed to verify these results in larger, more diverse populations.

Older obese women are at risk of obesity‐related disability, but Tai Chi has not been explored as an exercise modality along with weight loss for their effects on physical function. A 16‐week community‐based intervention was conducted to assess the impact of Tai Chi plus behaviorally‐based weight loss (TCWL, n=29) on obese (BMI=35.4 ±0.8 kg/m2) older (68.2±1.5 yr) women compared to a control group (CON, n=9, BMI=38.0±1.5kg/m2, 65.6±2.7 yr). The major outcome was the short physical performance battery (SPPB), consisting of 4‐m gait speed (GS), standing balance, and chair stand (CS) tests. The TCWL group participated in two Tai Chi sessions and one dietary weight loss session per week with a goal of 5–10% weight loss. The CON group was asked to maintain their normal lifestyle. The TCWL group lost weight, (1.6±2.9 kg, P=.006) while the CON group showed no significant change (1.2 ± 1.9 kg P=.11). SPPB score improved in TCWL (0.59±1.28, P=.023) when compared to the CON group (−0.56±1.81, P=.38). TCWL group improved GS (−0.14±0.76 sec, P=.34) time better (P=.004) than CON (0.56±0.81 sec, P=.07) and also improved CS (−0.80±1.71 sec, P=.02) time better (P=.065) than CON (0.28±2.83 sec, P=.77). Tai Chi may represent an effective intervention strategy to maintain and improve physical function while losing weight..

Tai Chi is an alternative exercise that has not been thoroughly investigated as an intervention strategy in this population when combined with dietary weight loss. A 16‐week non‐randomized intervention using Tai Chi and behaviorally‐based weight loss (TCWL, n=29) in older (68.2±1.5 yrs) obese (BMI=35.4±0.8kg/m2) women was conducted while using a control group (CON, n=9; BMI=38.0±1.5 kg/m2; age=65.5±2.7 yrs). Primary outcome measurements included total body mass, BMI, percent fat (via bioelectrical impedance analysis), body mass, hip and waist circumferences. Participants in the TCWL group engaged in twice weekly Tai Chi sessions (~45 min) and once weekly behaviorally‐based dietary weight loss meetings. The CON group was asked to continue with their daily routines during the intervention. The TCWL group lost 1.6±2.9 kg (P=0.006) and the CON group showed no change (−1.2±1.9 kg; P=0.11). BMI did not change in either the TCWL group (−0.7±1.0 kg/m2, P>;0.0017) or in the CON group (−0.5±1.0 kg/m2, P>;0.1896). There were no changes in fat mass or waist circumference in either group (both P>;0.05). The results from this preliminary study show that the combination of Tai Chi and dietary weight loss may not be effective in altering key measures of body composition in obese older women but further study is needed with more substantial weight loss.

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Interven'on• The EXD group (n=16; 5 dropouts) engaged in three 45 min Tai Chi sessions and two 45min trainings sessions respec?vely per week.• A registered die??an conducted the behaviorally based diet sessions for 45 min once a week.• The CON group (n=9; 1 missing data) wsa asked to maintain a normal lifestyle. Further ResearchFuture research should plan to examine the long-term effects of these interven?ons on RBANS score changes or over all cogni?ve changes with a similar test.Effect of an exercise and dietary interven'on on the cogni've func'on on obese older women PurposeThe Purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a combined Tai Chi, resistance training, and dietary interven?on on cogni?ve func?on in older obese women. HypothesisIt is hypothesized that a combined Tai Chi, resistance training and dietary interven?on will show posi?ve effects on cogni?ve func?on in older obese women.