Summary:
Obese older adults experienced improvements in physical function when combining weight loss with exercise that were superior to either intervention alone.
Basis for study:
Declines in physical function among the elderly are exacerbated by obesity, but the best treatment approach for this population — in particular, whether weight loss is helpful — is controversial.
Results:
Among the 93 completers, scores improved by 21% in the combined intervention group vs 12% in the diet group, 15% in the exercise group, and 1% in the control group. Decreases in body weight were seen in the diet group (10%) and the combined group (9%), but not in the exercise-alone or control groups. A small number of musculoskeletal injuries related to exercise occurred.
N Engl J Med. 2011 Mar 31;364(13):1218-29
