Successful weight loss approaches in older adults with obesity can, unfortunately, lead to bone loss and an increased risk of fractures.
In a new study, researchers examined which forms of exercise might help reduce such bone loss.
The research was conducted by a team at the Baylor College of Medicine.
In the study, the team examined 160 obese men and women aged 65 years or older who were living in New Mexico.
They found that resistance exercise, alone or combined with aerobic exercise, was effective in reducing weight loss-induced decreases in hip bone density.
Intriguingly, aerobic exercise alone was not effective.
Therefore, resistance exercise can be recommended to protect against bone loss during weight loss regimens in older adults with obesity.
The team says it is never too late to practice a healthy lifestyle through diet and regular exercise, especially that which includes resistance exercise to improve physical function and preserve bone health during aging.
The lead author of the study is Dennis T. Villareal, MD. from Baylor College of Medicine.
The study is published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
