Obesity is a serious health challenge in older adults. Weight loss carries the risk of irreversible loss of muscle mass, which can lead to poor metabolic health, mobility problems and premature death. Excessive fat, however, often leads to diabetes and high blood pressure. A study of obese older adults, led by Barbara Nicklas from Wake Forest University, shows that weight training improves physical function and increases strenght. A weight-training group that followed a low-calorie diet experienced the benefits of weight training improves physical function and increases strenght. A weight-training group that followed a low-calorie diet experienced the benefits of weight training, while losing weight and body fat. However, the group also loss muscle mass. A group that practiced weight training alone lost body fat and improved strenght and physical function, but gained weight. Weight training is valuable for overweight adults, regardless of whether they cut calories. It appears that older adults lose muscle mass whenever they try to lose weight.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, published online March 11, 2015
