Obesity exacerbates age-related declines in function and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and quality of life. Although clinical trials conducted study teams show that diet-induced weight loss interventions in obese older adults, when combined with exercise, improve body composition and physical and metabolic function in the short-term, the overall safety and long-term benefits of intentional weight loss in older adults remain controversial. Weight loss can also worsen age-related loss of muscle mass and decrease bone mineral density. Because of these concerns, health care providers are reluctant to recommend weight loss in obese older adults. The goal is to determine whether weight loss-induced improvements in body composition and physical and metabolic function observed in short-term clinical trials persist over time is critical to inform geriatric obesity treatment.
Aging is associated with significant declines in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, all of which lead to disability, loss of independence, and adverse clinical outcomes. Obesity exacerbates these age-related declines in function and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and quality of life. Weight loss can also worsen age-related loss of muscle mass and decrease bone mineral density. The overall goals of this study are to determine if the short-term functional benefits of intentional weight loss are sustained long-term, and to examine the long-term benefits and risks of weight loss.