Impact of a Program of Tai Chi Plus Behaviorally Based Dietary Weight Loss on Physical Functioning and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Community-Based Study in Obese Older Women

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-2015

Abstract

This study employed a quasi-experimental design in a community-based study translating the results of our recent findings on the combined effects of Tai Chi and weight loss on physical function and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. A 16-week intervention was conducted to assess the impact of Tai Chi plus a behavioral weight loss program (TCWL, n = 29) on obese (body mass index [BMI] = 35.4 ± 0.8 kg/m2) older (68.2 ± 1.5 yr.) women compared to a control group (CON, n = 9, BMI = 38.0 ± 1.5 kg/m2, 65.6 ± 2.7 yr.), which was asked to maintain their normal lifestyle. The TCWL group lost weight (1.6 ± 2.9 kg, P = 0.006) while the CON group did not (1.2 ± 1.9 kg, P = 0.106). Physical functioning as measured by the short physical performance battery improved in TCWL when compared to the CON group (β = 1.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.76, P < 0.001). TCWL also improved in sit-and-reach flexibility (β = −2.27, 95% CI: −4.09, −0.46, P = 0.016), body fat mass (BMI, β = −0.65, 95% CI: −1.03, −0.26, P = 0.002), waist circumference (β = −1.78, 95% CI: −2.83, −0.72, P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (β = −16.41, 95% CI: −21.35, −11.48, P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (β = −9.52, 95% CI: −12.65, −6.39, P < 0.001). Thus, TCWL intervention may represent an effective strategy to improve physical function and ameliorate CHD risk in the older adult population.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics

Volume

34

Issue

1

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