Divergent Benefits of a Diet Plus Exercise Obesity Intervention by Race (black/white): Preliminary Cognitive and Functional Outcomes in Obese Older Adults (P21-045-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesObesity affects a growing number of older adults, contributing to poor physical and mental health outcomes; meanwhile, treatments to reduce obesity in older adults are complicated by a relatively limited treatment window and potential loss of lean mass. Furthermore, obesity’s prevalence is unevenly distributed and highest among black and Hispanic older adults, thus contributing to ongoing health disparities. Recent research from our laboratory shows that higher protein intake (≥30 g/meal) enhances functional improvement during intentional weight loss but it is not yet known whether these effects are consistent across race. MethodsIn an ancillary pilot study, change in body weight, physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery), and cognitive function (Trail Making Test, TMT; Symbol Digit Modalities, SMD) was assessed among obese black and white older adults with mild to moderate functional impairment (n = 10) following 3 months of weight loss intervention at one of two protein intake levels (RDA 0.8 vs 1.2 g/kg/d and (≥30 g/meal) and moderate exercise. ResultsSignificant weight loss (P = 0.009) and improvement in physical function (SPPB; P = 0.008) were observed at 3 months. While protein effects were not observed in this subset, trends toward race*time interactions showing greater weight loss among white participants (P = 0.062) and greater function improvement among black participants (P = 0.067) were observed. Additionally, cognitive assessment revealed a race*time interaction on TMT performance (TrailsB-A; P = 0.012), which correlated with changes in body weight and physical function. ConclusionsThese preliminary findings suggest that obesity reduction interventions benefited older adults across multiple health domains and underscore the need for further research to characterize potentially divergent benefits of intentional weight loss within these populations. Funding SourcesThis study was funded by the National Dairy Council and received additional support from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Program and the National Institute of Aging.