Effects of a weight loss plus exercise program on physical function in overweight, older women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background:Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with physical impairments and biologic changes in older adults. Weight loss combined with exercise may reduce inflammation and improve physical functioning in overweight, sedentary, older adults. This study tested whether a weight loss program combined with moderate exercise could improve physical function in obese, older adult women.Methods:Participants (N = 34) were generally healthy, obese, older adult women (age range 55–79 years) with mild to moderate physical impairments (ie, functional limitations). Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for 24 weeks: (i) weight loss plus exercise (WL+E; n = 17; mean age = 63.7 years [4.5]) or (ii) educational control (n = 17; mean age = 63.7 [6.7]). In the WL+E group, participants attended a group-based weight management session plus three supervised exercise sessions within their community each week. During exercise sessions, participants engaged in brisk walking and lower-body resistance training of moderate intensity. Participants in the educational control group attended monthly health education lectures on topics relevant to older adults. Outcomes were: (i) body weight, (ii) walking speed (assessed by 400-meter walk test), (iii) the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and (iv) knee extension isokinetic strength.Results:Participants randomized to the WL+E group lost significantly more weight than participants in the educational control group (5.95 [0.992] vs 0.23 [0.99] kg; P < 0.01). Additionally, the walking speed of participants in the WL+E group significantly increased compared with that of the control group (reduction in time on the 400-meter walk test = 44 seconds; P < 0.05). Scores on the SPPB improved in both the intervention and educational control groups from pre- to post-test (P < 0.05), with significant differences between groups (P = 0.02). Knee extension strength was maintained in both groups.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that a lifestyle-based weight loss program consisting of moderate caloric restriction plus moderate exercise can produce significant weight loss and improve physical function while maintaining muscle strength in obese, older adult women with mild to moderate physical impairments.

Long-term maintenance of weight loss after lifestyle intervention in frail, obese older adults

“…1;2 There is mounting evidence that obese older adults can successfully lose weight during intensive lifestyle interventions, and weight loss improves health outcomes such as physical function, insulin sensitivity, and coronary heart disease. [3][4][5][6][7][8] Despite these positive findings, the debate remains whether the benefits of weight loss interventions outweigh their risks in older adults. 9;10 The challenge in addressing this question is the lack of long-term follow up studies.…”

Effects of Tai Chi, Resistance Training, and Diet on Physical Function in Obese Older Women

“…The combination of lifestyle based weight loss programs and both aerobic, and resistance training, was the intervention method of choice for the study done by Anton et al [55]. There were a total of 34 subjects that took place in the research study who were obese, older (between the ages of 55 -79 years old) women with mild to moderate functional limitations.…”

Calorie Restriction in Overweight Seniors: Response of Older Adults to a Dieting Study: The CROSSROADS Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…While our study was ongoing, Dennis Villareal and his colleagues, as well as a few others, reported that weight loss in older adults could be achieved through lifestyle interventions over a one-year period (16, 17, 18, 28). Not unexpectedly, weight loss was associated with a loss of both lean body mass and BMD.…”

“…Reduction in lean mass and BMD occurs normally with age; and these may be negatively altered in unanticipated ways with intentional weight loss (7). Despite several randomized controlled trials having reported data since our study began, the extent to which intentional weight loss contributes to decreases in physical function and strength and/or elevated rates of osteoporosis and hip fractures remain uncertain and the controversies surrounding recommending weight loss for older adults persist (9, 16, 17, 18). …”