Weight Loss Plan For Obese Old People

Disorders Cure

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 16:02

Obesity with old age is a bad combination and at this stage the worst problem is mobility. A new Wake Forest University study has suggested that weight loss plan combined with walking can improve mobility by 20 percent in older, obese adults with poor heart health.

"To improve mobility, physical activity among obese old people, it has to be coupled with weight loss plan," said Jack Rejeski, Thurman D. Kitchin Professor of Health and Exercise Science. The researchers partnered with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and trained health care professionals at centers in three counties (Davidson, Forsyth and Guilford) to lead the weight loss plan along with an intervention team from Wake Forest

The obese old participants, ranging in age from 60 to 79, were tracked over an 18-month period under this weight loss plan. The participants were divided into three groups: One group received education on successful aging, the next group received physical activity and the third group received physical activity and weight loss plan.

After the experiment, the physical activity group did well, but the most dramatic difference was marked in the participants who combined an increase in physical activity with weight loss.

On average, they improved their mobility by five percent as measured by the time it took them to walk 400 meters. Those with the most limited mobility improved by as much as 20 percent.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.