The impact of resistance training has not been thoroughly examined in overweight older adults undergoing weight loss. Subjects (n = 27) were overweight and obese (BMI 31.7 +/- 3.6 kg/m(2)) older (age 67 +/- 4 years) adults and were randomized into either a 10-week Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension for weight loss diet (DASH, n = 12) or DASH plus moderate intensity resistance training (DASH-RT, n = 15). Outcomes included weight loss, total body and mid-thigh composition, muscle and physical function. There were no significant weight loss differences between the DASH-RT and DASH groups (-3.6 +/- 0.8 vs. -2.0 +/- 0.9%, p = 0.137). The DASH-RT group had a greater reduction in body fat than the DASH group (-4.1 +/- 0.9 vs. -0.2 +/- 1.0 kg, p = 0.005). The DASH-RT group had greater changes in lean mass (+0.8 +/- 0.4 vs. -1.4 +/- 0.4 kg, p = 0.002) and strength (+60 +/- 18 vs. -5 +/- 9 N, p = 0.008) than the DASH group. There were favorable changes in mid-thigh composition variables in the DASH-RT group that were different than the lack of changes observed in the DASH group, except for intermuscular adipose tissue. Both groups experienced decreases in 400-m walk times showed (DASH -36 +/- 11 s, DASH-RT -40 +/- 7 s) with no differences between groups. Moderate intensity resistance training during weight loss appears to improve fat mass and thigh composition, but weight loss only does not. However, global measures of physical functioning may improve with a weight loss-only program.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to examine the additive effect of resistance training (RT) to a dietary education (DE) intervention on emerging coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, concentration of apolipoproteins B (apoB) and A-I (apoA-I), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Index scores in overweight and obese older adults.Patients and methodsThis was an ancillary study of a randomized clinical trial held in the Fall of 2008 at the University of Rhode Island. Participants were overweight or obese subjects (mean body mass index [BMI] of 31.7 kg/m2) randomized into two groups, one participating in DE only (n = 12) and the other participating in DE plus RT (DERT) (n = 15). The intervention involved all subjects participating in 30 minutes of DE per week for 10 weeks. Subjects in the DERT group participated in an additional 40 minutes of RT three times per week for 10 weeks. Measurements taken were anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference, and body composition using the BOD POD® [Body Composition System, v 2.14; Life Measurement Instruments, Concord, CA]), clinical (blood pressure), and biochemical (lipid profile and apoB and apoA-I concentrations), and the DASH Diet Index was used to measure diet quality.Results27 subjects (11 males, 16 females), with a mean age of 66.6 ± 4.3 years, were included in analyses. The DERT subjects had significantly better triacylglycerol and apoB concentrations and DASH Diet Index scores than the DE subjects post-intervention. Improvements were seen within the DE group in energy intake, fat-free mass, and systolic blood pressure and within the DERT group in body weight, percentage of body fat, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05).ConclusionThe addition of RT effectively reduced CHD risk factors, body composition, and diet quality in overweight and obese older adults; DERT was more effective than DE alone in improving DASH Diet Index scores and lowering apoB concentrations but was not more effective in increasing apoA-I concentrations. Future research is needed to determine if apolipoproteins are superior to lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in predicting CHD risk.

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Sarcopenia is the age‐related loss of muscle mass associated with decreased physical functioning. Approximately 30% of adults = 60 y have sarcopenia and its prevalence increases with age. Research suggests an association between sarcopenia and dietary components, such as protein, carotenoids, and cholesterol. To further explore these associations, 30 overweight and obese men (n=11) and women (n=19), 60‐75 y were studied. Mean participant age was 66.5 ± 4.5y, mean weight was 86.8 ± 13.9kg, and mean BMI was 31.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2. Percent muscle area (PMA, total thigh muscle area divided by total thigh area) was used as the measure of sarcopenia. Participants were classified as having higher (n=14) or lower (n=16) PMA; lower PMA indicative of sarcopenia. Dietary assessment was done via a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Participants with higher PMA consumed more cholesterol than participants with lower PMA (284.3±133.1 mg vs. 176.7±65.7 mg, p<0.05). Participants with higher PMA also trended to consume more animal protein (60.5±25.7 g versus 45.8±16.8 g, p=0.07) and vitamin B12 (8.7±4.02 mcg versus 6.4±2.5 mcg, p=0.078) than participants with lower PMA. Participants with lower PMA consumed more alpha‐carotene than participants with higher PMA (1186.7±929.2 mcg versus 686.1±559.6 mcg, p=0.09). These data suggest that more research is needed regarding dietary intake and sarcopenia.