Weight Loss through Lifestyle Intervention Improves Mobility in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The high prevalence of overweight or obesity in older adults is a public health concern because obesity affects health, including risk of mobility disability. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program (MOVE UP), delivered by community health workers (CHW), enrolled 303 community-dwelling adults to assess the impact of a 32-session behavioral weight management intervention. Participants completed the program at 26 sites led by 22 CHWs. Participation was limited to people aged 60-75 who had a BMI 27-45 kg/m 2. The primary outcome was performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) over 12 months. RESULTS Participants were age (sd) 67.7 (4.1) and mostly female (87%); 22.7% were racial minorities. The mean (sd) BMI at baseline was 34.7 (4.7). Participants attended a median of 24 of 32 sessions; 240 (80.3%) completed the 9- or 13-month outcome assessment. Median weight loss in the sample was 5% of baseline body weight. SPPB total scores improved by +0.31 units (p < .006), gait speed by +0.04 m/sec (p < .0001), and time to complete chair stands by -0.95 sec (p < .0001). Weight loss ≥ 5% was associated with a gain of +0.73 in SPPB score. Increases in activity (by self-report or device) were not independently associated with SPPB outcomes but did reduce the effect of weight loss. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Promoting weight management in a community group setting may be an effective strategy for reducing risk of disability in older adults.