New Study Finds Obese Seniors Can Improve Disability with Diet and Exercise

According to a new U.S. study, seniors age 65-79 may be able to improve their disability and lessen fatigue if they start exercising more.  Plus, if they cut calories, they may achieve overall improved health.  Researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina conducted the study. The experiment involved 180 obese senior adults from the age of 65 to 79 years-old.  Each participant was randomly given a 20-week task: Regular aerobic activity, or regular aerobic activity combined with cutting calories.  All 180 seniors focused on treadmill exercises at least 4 days per week. However, the group assigned to cut calories also were instructed to eat at least 250-600 fewer calories per day, as well.  According to the study, the group who exercised and cut calories was able to increase their exercise capacity (the body’s ability to supply oxygen to muscles during longer exercise sessions) by 14-16%.  Meanwhile, the seniors who only focused on aerobic exercise increased their exercise capacity by nearly 8%.  The researchers concluded, in general, people who cut a moderate amount of calories from their diets and complete regular aerobic workouts will see good results.  You don’t have to slash calories drastically, because this is difficult to keep up.  Best of all, anyone at any stage of life, even people who are both obese and elderly, will see health benefits from getting active and eating less.