Project description:IntroductionInterprofessional teams can provide better care and management of complex geriatric patients. Unintentional weight loss in older patients can lead to significant morbidity and mortality and functional decline. This simulation curriculum focuses on teaching learners from all health care professions how to use the Carolina Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program unintentional weight loss tool and flowchart (T&F) to identify, diagnose, and create a plan of care for weight loss in geriatric patients.MethodsA presentation on use of the T&F and two standardized patient cases utilizing the T&F in an interprofessional team are included. Case 1 presents a 71-year-old male with dementia who has lost 20 pounds, with weight loss secondary to cognitive impairment, denture problems, oral candidiasis, and polypharmacy. Case 2 presents a 67-year-old female with a history of depression and breast cancer who has lost 15 pounds, likely related to alcohol dependence, social isolation, oral cancer, and food insecurity. Pre- and posttests measure knowledge gained through the course.ResultsOverall knowledge of unintentional weight loss improved in the 14 learners who participated in two pilot sessions. Test scores improved an average of 1.2 points from pre- to posttest. Participants felt that interprofessional teams increased the quality of care provided to patients and job satisfaction.DiscussionThis tool can be utilized by practitioners from multiple disciplines. By completing the curriculum, learners gain knowledge of how to identify geriatric patients with significant weight loss, determine next steps in diagnosis and workup, and work in an interprofessional group.
Project description:BackgroundUnintentional weight loss (UWL) is defined as unintentional reduction of more than 5% of baseline body weight over 6 to 12 months. UWL is a common problem in the older adults, resulting in increased rate of morbidity and mortality. With specific reference to Thailand, no information on factors associated with UWL in older adults could be traced. The aims of this research were to identify the factors associated with UWL and to assess the common causes of UWL among older adults in the geriatric outpatient clinic of university hospital.MethodsA case-control study was conducted from June 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2020. Eighty older adults aged 60 years or older were enrolled in the UWL group while the non-UWL group consisted of 160 participants. Data collection was performed by structural questionnaire including baseline characteristics, psychosocial factors, health information, lifestyle behaviors, and medications. The factors associated with UWL were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Causes of UWL were recorded from electronic medical records.ResultsThe mean age of the 240 participants was 79.6 years (SD 7.4). Most patients were female (79.2%) and had fewer than 12 years of education (62.6%). The three common causes of UWL were reduced appetite (20.1%), dementia and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (13.7%) and medications (11.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of >1 (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.37-4.73; P = 0.003), vitamin D deficiency (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.62-9.97; P = 0.003), and hemoglobin level of <12 g/dL (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.32-4.63; P = 0.005) were factors significantly associated with UWL.ConclusionsFactors associated with UWL were CCI score >1, vitamin D deficiency, and hemoglobin level of <12 g/dl. The early detection of these associated factors, reduced appetite, dementia and polypharmacy may be important in UWL prevention in older adults.
Project description:ObjectiveThe consequences of obesity among older adults are significant, yet few obesity interventions target this group. Unfamiliarity with weight loss intervention effectiveness and concerns that weight loss negatively affects older adults may be inhibiting targeting this group. This paper reviews the evidence on intentional weight loss and effective weight loss interventions for obese older adults to help dispel concerns and guide health promotion practice.Data sourcePubMed articles.Study inclusion and exclusion criteriaRandomized controlled trials examining behavioral and pharmaceutical weight loss strategies with 1-year follow-up targeting obese (body mass index ≥ 30) older adults (mean age ≥ 60 years), and studies with quasi-experimental designs examining surgical weight loss strategies targeting older adults were examined.Data extractionAbstracts were reviewed for study objective relevancy, with relevant articles extracted and reviewed.Data synthesisData were inserted into an analysis matrix.ResultsEvidence indicates behavioral strategies are effective in producing significant (all p < .05) weight loss without significant risk to obese older adults, but effectiveness evidence for surgical and pharmaceutical strategies for obese older adults is lacking, primarily because this group has not been targeted in trials or analyses did not isolate this group.ConclusionThese findings support the promotion of intentional weight loss among obese older adults and provide guidance to health promotion practitioners on effective weight loss interventions to use with this group.
Project description:Background and objectivesThe high prevalence of overweight or obesity in older adults is a public health concern because obesity affects health, including the risk of mobility disability.Research design and methodsThe Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program, delivered by community health workers (CHWs), 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 body mass index (BMI) of 27-45 kg/m2. The primary outcome was the performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) over 12 months.ResultsParticipants were aged 67.7 (SD 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/s (p < .0001), and time to complete chair stands by -0.95 s (p < .0001). Weight loss of at least 5% was associated with a gain of +0.73 in SPPB scores. 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 implicationsPromoting weight management in a community group setting may be an effective strategy for reducing the risk of disability in older adults.
Project description:BackgroundObesity exacerbates the age-related decline in physical function and causes frailty in older adults; however, the appropriate treatment for obese older adults is controversial.MethodsIn this 1-year, randomized, controlled trial, we evaluated the independent and combined effects of weight loss and exercise in 107 adults who were 65 years of age or older and obese. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group, a weight-management (diet) group, an exercise group, or a weight-management-plus-exercise (diet-exercise) group. The primary outcome was the change in score on the modified Physical Performance Test. Secondary outcomes included other measures of frailty, body composition, bone mineral density, specific physical functions, and quality of life.ResultsA total of 93 participants (87%) completed the study. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the score on the Physical Performance Test, in which higher scores indicate better physical status, increased more in the diet-exercise group than in the diet group or the exercise group (increases from baseline of 21% vs. 12% and 15%, respectively); the scores in all three of those groups increased more than the scores in the control group (in which the score increased by 1%) (P<0.001 for the between-group differences). Moreover, the peak oxygen consumption improved more in the diet-exercise group than in the diet group or the exercise group (increases of 17% vs. 10% and 8%, respectively; P<0.001); the score on the Functional Status Questionnaire, in which higher scores indicate better physical function, increased more in the diet-exercise group than in the diet group (increase of 10% vs. 4%, P<0.001). Body weight decreased by 10% in the diet group and by 9% in the diet-exercise group, but did not decrease in the exercise group or the control group (P<0.001). Lean body mass and bone mineral density at the hip decreased less in the diet-exercise group than in the diet group (reductions of 3% and 1%, respectively, in the diet-exercise group vs. reductions of 5% and 3%, respectively, in the diet group; P<0.05 for both comparisons). Strength, balance, and gait improved consistently in the diet-exercise group (P<0.05 for all comparisons). Adverse events included a small number of exercise-associated musculoskeletal injuries.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a combination of weight loss and exercise provides greater improvement in physical function than either intervention alone. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00146107.).
Project description:Abstract Randomized controlled trial results in obese older adults consistently associate intentional weight loss of 5–10% with clinically meaningful improvement in gait speed, on average. Consideration of individual differences in response, however, has been largely ignored. The purpose of this study is to describe the inter-individual variability in gait speed response to intentional weight loss in overweight and obese older adults. Participants from the Intensive Diet and Exercise for Arthritis trial (NCT00381290), randomized to a caloric restriction intervention targeting 10% weight loss over 18 months were included, with fast-paced 6-minute walk assessed at baseline and 6 months. Of 112 participants (BMI: 33.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2; age: 66.7 ± 5.9 years), 79 experienced at least 5% weight loss at 6 months and increased gait speed by 0.05 ± 0.10 m/s (p<0.001). Individual changes, however, varied from -0.27 to 0.29 m/s, with 24% (n=19) experiencing no improvement (i.e. change≤0.0 m/s). At ≥10% achieved weight loss at 6 months, mean gait speed increased by 0.06 ± 0.10 m/s (range: -0.16 to 0.29 m/s) and the subset of non-responders increased to 29% (n=14/48). When considering gender, age, race, baseline BMI and baseline gait speed, change in gait speed was negatively associated with both baseline gait speed and African-American race (both p<0.05). Data suggest large variation in the magnitude of gait speed change for a given amount of weight loss and highlight a subset of participants likely to experience no improvement. Better understanding of the characteristics influencing weight loss-associated functional change is necessary to optimize individualized weight management strategies for this population.
Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine change in bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score among older adult weight regainers (WR) and weight maintainers (WM). METHODS:Observational data come from 77 older adults (mean age: 67 [SD 5] years; 69% women; 70% white) with obesity (mean BMI: 33.6 [SD 3.7] kg/m2 ) who lost weight during an 18-month weight loss intervention. Total body mass and body composition, along with regional (total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine) BMD and trabecular bone score, were measured at baseline, 18 months, and 30 months. WR (n = 36) and WM (n = 41) categories were defined as a ≥ 5% or < 5% weight gain from 18 to 30 months, respectively. RESULTS:Among skeletal indices, only total hip BMD was significantly reduced during the 18-month intervention period in both WRs (-3.9%; 95% CI: -5.8% to -2.0%) and WMs (-2.4%; 95% CI: -4.3% to -0.5%; P = 0.07). After adjustment for relevant baseline covariates and weight change from 0 to 18 months, 30-month change in total hip BMD was -2.6% (95% CI: -4.3% to -0.9%) and -3.9% (95% CI: -5.7% to -2.1%) among WRs and WMs, respectively (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS:Loss of hip BMD persists in the year after a weight loss intervention among older adults with obesity, regardless of weight regain status.
Project description:BackgroundDespite the reported benefits, weight loss is not always advised for older adults because some observational studies have associated weight loss with increased mortality. However, the distinction between intentional and unintentional weight loss is difficult to make in an observational context, so the effect of intentional weight loss on mortality may be clarified in the setting of a randomized controlled trial.ObjectiveThe objective was to determine the effect of intentional weight loss on all-cause mortality by using follow-up data from a randomized trial completed in 1995 that included a weight-loss arm.DesignThe Trial of Nonpharmacologic Intervention in the Elderly (TONE) used a 2 × 2 factorial design to determine the effect of dietary weight loss, sodium restriction, or both on blood pressure control in 585 overweight or obese older adults being treated for hypertension (mean ± SD age: 66 ± 4 y; 53% female). All-cause mortality was ascertained by using the Social Security Index and National Death Index through 2006.ResultsThe mortality rate of those who were randomly assigned to the weight-loss intervention (n = 291; mean weight loss: 4.4 kg) did not differ significantly from that of those who were not randomly assigned to this group (n = 294; mean weight loss: 0.8 kg). The adjusted HR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.55, 1.22).ConclusionsIntentional dietary weight loss was not significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality over 12 y of follow-up in older overweight or obese adults. Additional studies are needed to confirm and extend our findings to older age groups. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00000535.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Observational research has identified several mortality biomarkers; however, their responsiveness to change is unknown. We tested whether the Healthy Aging Index (HAI) and other mortality biomarkers were responsive to intentional weight loss (WL), which is associated with lower mortality risk in recent meta-analyses. METHODS:Older adults (70.3 ± 3.7 years) with obesity were randomized into a 6-month WL (n = 47) or weight stability (WS: ±5% baseline weight; n = 48) program. Baseline and 6-month HAI score (0-10) was calculated from component sum (each 0-2: systolic blood pressure, forced vital capacity [FVC], creatinine, fasting blood glucose [FBG], Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and gait speed, grip strength, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, FEV1, Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein, and Cystatin-C were assessed at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS:Mean baseline HAI was 3.2 ± 1.6. By 6 months, WL participants lost 8.87 (95% CI: -10.40, -7.34) kg, whereas WS participants remained weight stable. WL group reduced HAI score (WL: -0.75 [95% CI: -1.11, -0.39] vs WS: -0.22 [95% CI: -0.60, 0.15]; p = .04), and components changing the most were FBG (WL: -3.89 [95% CI: -7.78, 0.00] mg/dL vs WS: 1.45 [95% CI: -2.61, 5.50] mg/dL; p = .047) and FVC (WL: 0.11 [95% CI: -0.01, 0.23] L vs WS: -0.05 [95% CI: -0.17, 0.08] L; p = .06). Among other biomarkers, only Cystatin-C significantly changed (WL: -2.53 [95% CI: -4.38, -0.68] ng/mL vs WS: 0.07 [95% CI: -1.85, 1.98] ng/mL; p = .04). Combining treatment groups, 1 kg WL was associated with a 0.07 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.12) HAI reduction (p < .01). CONCLUSION:Intentional WL via caloric restriction reduced HAI score by 0.53 points, largely attributable to metabolic and pulmonary improvements.
Project description:BackgroundAmong older, overweight, and obese adults with either cardiovascular disease or the metabolic syndrome, reduced mobility and loss of leg strength are important risk factors for morbidity, disability, and mortality. It is unclear whether community-based approaches to weight loss may be an effective solution to this public health challenge.MethodsAn 18-month three-site, randomized controlled trial conducted by YMCA staff, with blinded assessors, enrolled 249 older, overweight, and obese adults with either cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome with randomization to three interventions: weight loss alone (WL), weight loss + aerobic training (WL + AT), and weight loss + resistance training (WT + RT). The dual primary outcomes were 400-m walk time in seconds and knee extensor strength in Newton meters.ResultsAll groups lost weight from baseline: average baseline adjusted change of -6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -7.5 to -4.7) for WL only, -8.6% (95% CI: -10.0 to -7.2) for WL + AT, and -9.7% (95% CI: -11.1 to -8.4) for WL + RT. Combined, the two physical activity + WL training groups had greater improvement in walk time than WL alone (mean difference 16.9 seconds [95% CI: 9.7 to 24.0], p < .0001). Baseline adjusted change in knee extensor strength was no greater with WL + RT than WL + AT (mean difference -3.6 Nm [95% CI: -7.5 to 0.3], p = .07).ConclusionsAt risk, older, overweight and obese adults can achieve clinically significant reductions in body weight with community-based weight loss programs. The change in percent weight loss and improvements in mobility are significantly enhanced when either RT or AT is combined with dietary WL.