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Older, rural residents with obesity aged ≥65 years have reduced access to health promotion programs due to geography. We conducted a 26-week intervention of 24 older obese adults (BMI≥30kg/m2) in a geographically isolated area in Northern New England. The telemedicine delivered intervention consisted of individual, weekly, dietitian visits focusing on caloric restriction, and twice-weekly physical therapist-led group strength training classes. Participants’ age was 73.4±4.4years (79% female); pre-post assessments consisted of bioelectrical impedance-based body composition, functional measures, and satisfaction questionnaires. Feasibility was high (50% enrolled, 85% completed). Weight decreased 4.5±3.8kg (4.5±0.5%; 48% achieving ≥5%), 30s sit-to-stand improved (+3.8±4.1repetitions), as did 6-minute walk, +76.2±70.1m (all p

Background: The Foundation for the NIH Sarcopenia Project validated cutpoints for appendicular lean mass (ALM). Individuals with sarcopenia (SP) and obesity are thought to be at higher risk of adverse events. We ascertained the relationship between SP obesity and mortality and identified predictors in this subgroup.

Background: Telomere shortening is associated with age and risk of medical co-morbidity. We assessed the relationship between measures of adiposity with leukocyte telomere length and whether it is influenced by age.

Background:Obesity in older adults is an emerging public health challenge. Older obese persons aged 65 years residing in rural areas have reduced access to weight management programs due to geographic distances that impede their ability to improve their physical function. Methods: This project was a 12-week pilot intervention in nine older adults with obesity (body mass index (BMI)≥30) between September and December 2017 in a geographically isolated area in Northern New England. The structured intervention consisted of individualized, weekly registered dietitian visits focusing on behavioral modification and caloric restriction with twice weekly physical therapist-led group strengthening training classes in a community-based aging center. An aerobic activity prescription outside these sessions was provided.Monthly study measures assessed outcomes of weight and function, analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. Results:Mean age was 71.5 ± 5.1years (67% female).Individuals completed 100% of all study assessments, attended 88.4% of all possible PT classes (range 79.2–95.8) and 88.9% (range 61.5–100%) of all nutrition sessions. Level of satisfaction for the overall intervention (5-point Likert) was high (88.9% rating very satisfied). Weight decreased from 93.7 ± 9.7 to 89.4 ± 4.0kg (p

Background: Telomere shortening is associated with chronic diseases yet its relationship with everyday functional impairments has not been well characterized. We sought to characterize the association of telomere length with physical limitations (PL) as well as basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) in a non-institutionalized population of older adults.

Body composition changes with aging can impact function in older adults leading to frailty. Measuring adiposity using body fat or central adiposity using waist circumference (WC) have greater diagnostic accuracy than traditional measures such as body mass index (BMI).