HETEROGENEITY OF GAIT SPEED RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS IN OLDER ADULTS

ABSTRACT: 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.

SUBMITTER: Beavers D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6248507 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature