As those of us in our 40s and 50s exercise and
eat right so we can age healthfully, we also can
ensure our elderly parents do the same.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis
say senior citizens, even if they are frail, can
enjoy substantial benefits from diet and exercise.
Their conclusions throw water on the theory that
people cannot change lifestyle habits that they've
held throughout their lives.
Dr. Dennis T. Villareal, the lead researcher at
the university's medical school, said his small,
six-month study showed that cutting back
on the calories, changing behaviors and exercising
regularly can result in significant weight loss
and improved physical function in people
in their 60s, 70s and even later years.
The findings hold promise for a generation of baby
boomers who struggle with maintaining their own
nutritious eating and exercising as they age, while
simultaneously looking after their parents in their
own golden years. Future generations of boomers
can also use the results to plan on how they can
ensure their parents remain fit when the time comes.
Obesity equals physical decline
Obesity is major cause of physical decline in older
people, often leading to an inability to perform
practical daily chores and engage in social
activities, Villareal said.
But it doesn't have to be that
way, he added.
"We found that most of our subjects looked
forward to the weekly group meetings and regular
exercise sessions and embraced lifestyle change,"
Villareal said in April's Archives of Internal
Medicine.
His study focused on 27 volunteers considered "frail
and obese" whose average age was 70 and average
body mass index was 39.
Body mass index, otherwise known as BMI, is the
radio of height to weight, and is used by health
experts as one tool in deciding whether a person
is overweight or obese. People with BMIs 25 to 29
are overweight, 20 to 40 obese, and 40 or more extremely
obese.
Slashing daily calories, exercising three
times a week
In the study, the volunteers were placed on a diet
that reduced their calories by 750 a day. They exercised
for three times a week for 90 minutes each session,
focusing on improving their flexibility, endurance,
strength and balance. In addition, a dietitian helped
them change their eating habits to more healthy
ways of consuming food.
Villareal found that the seniors lost an average
of 8.4 percent of their body weight and slashed
their fat mass by an average of 6.6 kg. They enjoyed
greater strength, speedier walking and other enhanced
physical attributes.
However, Villareal noted that the results may not
translate to the general population because his
study included a small number of senior citizens
and lasted for only six months. The participants
also were volunteers who were able to participate
in a diet and exercise program.
Longer studies would predict the long-range benefits
of diet and exercise for frail and obese seniors,
he said.
"Nevertheless, our results provide evidence
that successful weight loss and adherence with exercise
training are feasible in the obese older adults,
and a group intervention program may provide important
social interactions that enhance compliance,"
Villareal said.
