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Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Porter Starr, KN; Pieper, CF; Orenduff, MC; McDonald, SR; McClure, LB; Zhou, R; Payne, ME; Bales, CW
Published in: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
October 2016

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant cause of functional limitations in older adults; yet, concerns that weight reduction could diminish muscle along with fat mass have impeded progress toward an intervention. Meal-based enhancement of protein intake could protect function and/or lean mass but has not been studied during geriatric obesity reduction. METHODS: In this 6-month randomized controlled trial, 67 obese (body mass index ≥30kg/m(2)) older (≥60 years) adults with a Short Physical Performance Battery score of 4-10 were randomly assigned to a traditional (Control) weight loss regimen or one with higher protein intake (>30g) at each meal (Protein). All participants were prescribed a hypo-caloric diet, and weighed and provided dietary guidance weekly. Physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery) and lean mass (BOD POD), along with secondary measures, were assessed at 0, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: At the 6-month endpoint, there was significant (p < .001) weight loss in both the Control (-7.5±6.2kg) and Protein (-8.7±7.4kg) groups. Both groups also improved function but the increase in the Protein (+2.4±1.7 units; p < .001) was greater than in the Control (+0.9±1.7 units; p < .01) group (p = .02). CONCLUSION: Obese, functionally limited older adults undergoing a 6-month weight loss intervention with a meal-based enhancement of protein quantity and quality lost similar amounts of weight but had greater functional improvements relative to the Control group. If confirmed, this dietary approach could have important implications for improving the functional status of this vulnerable population (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01715753).

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Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-535X

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

71

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1369 / 1375

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Pilot Projects
  • Obesity
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Frail Elderly
  • Female
 

Citation

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Porter Starr, K. N., Pieper, C. F., Orenduff, M. C., McDonald, S. R., McClure, L. B., Zhou, R., … Bales, C. W. (2016). Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 71(10), 1369–1375. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv210
Porter Starr, Kathryn N., Carl F. Pieper, Melissa C. Orenduff, Shelley R. McDonald, Luisa B. McClure, Run Zhou, Martha E. Payne, and Connie W. Bales. “Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 71, no. 10 (October 2016): 1369–75. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv210.
Porter Starr KN, Pieper CF, Orenduff MC, McDonald SR, McClure LB, Zhou R, et al. Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Oct;71(10):1369–75.
Porter Starr, Kathryn N., et al. “Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, vol. 71, no. 10, Oct. 2016, pp. 1369–75. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/gerona/glv210.
Porter Starr KN, Pieper CF, Orenduff MC, McDonald SR, McClure LB, Zhou R, Payne ME, Bales CW. Improved Function With Enhanced Protein Intake per Meal: A Pilot Study of Weight Reduction in Frail, Obese Older Adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Oct;71(10):1369–1375.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

EISSN

1758-535X

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

71

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1369 / 1375

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Pilot Projects
  • Obesity
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Frail Elderly
  • Female