Strategies to Manage Obesity in Older Adults

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Chronic Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 13951

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
Interests: mediterranean diet to support healthy ageing; sarcopenia; frailty; physical function; nutrition and type 2 diabetes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Given the unprecedented trend in population ageing, there is an increased need to promote healthy ageing. However, a number of physiological changes are associated with age, including reductions in lean body mass and a concurrent accumulation of fat mass. As such, secular trends in obesity amongst the older adult population have steadily increased over recent decades, making this an important public health priority. Obesity in older adults is associated with illness and comorbid disease, mobility disability, falls and fractures, poor quality of life and premature mortality. These adverse health outcomes affect not only the lives of individuals but also overall healthcare expenditure. Conventional therapy for the management of obesity is to adopt a calorie-restricted diet in order to facilitate loss of fat mass and improve cardiometabolic health. However, appropriate management of obesity in older adults remains controversial given the potential threat associated with intentional calorie-induced weight loss on losses in lean body mass and bone, which may exacerbate functional decline in older adults. In this Special Issue of Healthcare, we aim to provide our readers, including clinicians, allied health professionals, researchers and older adults themselves, with the latest evidence on therapeutic treatment strategies (lifestyle, behavioural and pharmacological) for the management of obesity in ageing. We therefore invite manuscripts describing epidemiological, interventional and implementation studies which explore potential strategies to combat obesity in older adults.

Dr. Anthony Villani
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • older adults
  • ageing
  • health-related quality of life
  • chronic disease
  • muscle
  • bone
  • nutrition
  • exercise
  • pharmacological therapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 214 KiB  
Editorial
Lifestyle Strategies for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults: From Controversies to Alternative Interventions
by Anthony Villani
Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10102107 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2215
Abstract
Improvements in infection control, management of chronic diseases and impressive advancements in modern medicine have all contributed to increases in life expectancy [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Manage Obesity in Older Adults)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

21 pages, 10785 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Biological Adaptations in Obese Older Adults Following 12-Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training or Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
by Layale Youssef, Jordan Granet, Vincent Marcangeli, Maude Dulac, Guy Hajj-Boutros, Olivier Reynaud, Fanny Buckinx, Pierrette Gaudreau, José A. Morais, Pascale Mauriège, Gilles Gouspillou, Philippe Noirez and Mylène Aubertin-Leheudre
Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071346 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4388
Abstract
Sarcopenia and obesity are considered a double health burden. Therefore, the implementation of effective strategies is needed to improve the quality of life of older obese individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia and obesity are considered a double health burden. Therefore, the implementation of effective strategies is needed to improve the quality of life of older obese individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on functional capacities, muscle function, body composition and blood biomarkers in obese older adults. Adipose tissue gene expression and markers of muscle mitochondrial content and quality control involved in exercise adaptations were also investigated. Sixty-eight participants performed either HIIT (n = 34) on an elliptical trainer or MICT (n = 34) on a treadmill, three times per week for 12 weeks. HIIT produced significantly higher benefits on some physical parameters (six-minute walking test (HIIT: +12.4% vs. MICT: +5.2%); step test (HIIT: +17.02% vs. MICT: +5.9%); ten-repetition chair test (HIIT: −17.04% vs. MICT: −4.7%)). Although both HIIT and MICT led to an improvement in lower limb power (HIIT: +25.2% vs. MICT: +20.4%), only MICT led to higher improvement in lower limb muscle strength (HIIT: +4.3% vs. MICT: +23.2%). HIIT was more beneficial for increasing total lean body mass (HIIT: +1.58% vs. MICT: −0.81%), while MICT was more effective for decreasing relative gynoid fat mass (HIIT: −1.09% vs. MICT: −4.20%). Regarding adipose tissue gene expression, a significant change was observed for cell death-inducing DFFA (DNA fragmentation factor-alpha)-like effector A (CIDEA) in the HIIT group (A.U; HIIT at T0: 32.10 ± 39.37 vs. HIIT at T12: 48.2 ± 59.2). Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) content, a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis, increased significantly following HIIT (+36.2%) and MICT (+57.2%). A significant increase was observed in the HIIT group for Translocase of Outer Membrane 20 (TOM20; +54.1%; marker of mitochondrial content), Mitofusin-2 (MFN2; +71.6%; marker of mitochondrial fusion) and Parkin RBR E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (PARKIN; +42.3%; marker of mitophagy). Overall, our results indicate that even though MICT (walking on treadmill) and HIIT (on an elliptical) are effective intervention strategies in obese older adults, HIIT appears to have slightly more beneficial effects. More specifically, HIIT led to higher improvements than MICT on functional capacities, lean mass and skeletal muscle markers of mitochondrial content, fusion, and mitophagy. Thus, MICT but also HIIT (time-efficient training) could be recommended as exercise modalities for obese older adults to maintain or improve mobility, health and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Manage Obesity in Older Adults)
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12 pages, 749 KiB  
Article
Effects of Leisure-Time Physical Activity on Cognitive Reserve Biomarkers and Leisure Motivation in the Pre-Diabetes Elderly
by Bo-Ram Kim and Seung-Taek Lim
Healthcare 2022, 10(4), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040737 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2577
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in cognitive reserve biomarkers of the pre-diabetic individual according to the types of leisure-time physical activity (aerobic or resistance physical activity). The research subjects (n = 184) who participated in the survey [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in cognitive reserve biomarkers of the pre-diabetic individual according to the types of leisure-time physical activity (aerobic or resistance physical activity). The research subjects (n = 184) who participated in the survey were pre-diabetic and diabetic patients who were visiting university hospitals and welfare centers. The intervention subjects (n = 36) who were elderly females with pre-diabetes volunteered to participate in the study by performing regular physical exercise (aerobic or resistance exercise). The study participants were 65 years of age or older with pre-diabetes defined by a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of (5.7–6.4)%. All research subjects performed motivation and stress questionnaire survey. All intervention subjects participated in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) for 12 weeks. Body composition, HbA1c, and cognitive reserve biomarkers were measured at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks. LTPA motivation confirmed that the LTPA participants had a high level of motivation. Stress confirmed that the stress level of LTPA participants was low. Two-way within-factor ANOVA revealed significant group × time interaction for weight (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.01), % fat (p < 0.001), SBP (p < 0.05), HbA1c (p < 0.001), BDNF (p < 0.001), and Beta-Amyloid 1–42 (p < 0.001). In both physical activity groups, HbA1c (p < 0.001), NGF (p < 0.05), BDNF (p < 0.05), and Cathepsin B (p < 0.05) improved significantly at 12 weeks, compared to baseline and 6 weeks. In the resistance physical activity group, Beta-Amyloid 1–42 (p < 0.01) and Homocysteine (p < 0.05) significantly decreased at 12 weeks, compared to baseline and at 6 weeks. The LTPA showed high levels of integrated and identified regulation among leisure motive types, and the level of stress was found to be low. The LTPA is effective in reducing the HbA1c levels of the pre-diabetes elderly. In addition, the pre-diabetes elderly were found to have increased NGF, BDNF, and cathepsin B, and decreased Beta-Amyloid 1–42 and homocysteine. Regular leisure-time physical activity has a positive effect on cognitive reserve biomarkers through improving glycemic control by reducing weight and % fat in the pre-diabetes elderly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Manage Obesity in Older Adults)
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13 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
Association of Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet with Excess Body Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Overweight or Obese Adults with or without Type 2 Diabetes: Two Cross-Sectional Studies
by Amy Buchanan and Anthony Villani
Healthcare 2021, 9(10), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101255 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3072
Abstract
Overweight and obesity in older adults is associated with disability and is exacerbated by the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There is emerging evidence that adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) reduces adiposity and attenuates physical disability. These cross-sectional studies explored the [...] Read more.
Overweight and obesity in older adults is associated with disability and is exacerbated by the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There is emerging evidence that adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) reduces adiposity and attenuates physical disability. These cross-sectional studies explored the associations of adherence to a MedDiet with body mass index (BMI), adiposity, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults without diabetes and in middle-aged or older adults with T2DM. MedDiet adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. Fat mass and percent body fat were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength was assessed using hand-grip strength, while physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery and gait speed. A total of n = 87 participants with T2DM (T2DM sample: 71.2 ± 8.2 years, BMI: 29.5 ± 5.9) and n = 65 participants without diabetes (non-T2DM sample: 68.7 ± 5.6 years, BMI: 33.7 ± 4.9) were included in these analyses. In the T2DM sample, when controlled for age, gender, and appendicular lean mass index, adherence to a MedDiet was inversely associated with BMI, fat mass, and percent body fat. However, this was no longer maintained in the fully adjusted models. Although, adherence to a MedDiet was positively associated with gait speed (β = 0.155; p = 0.050) independent of all covariates used. Adherence to a MedDiet may be a suitable dietary strategy for preserving lower body physical function in middle-aged and older adults with T2DM. However, these findings should be further investigated using well-designed randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies with a wider range of adherence scores to investigate temporal associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Manage Obesity in Older Adults)
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