Dietary restriction and walking reduce fat deposition in the midthigh in obese older women.
BACKGROUND
It is suggested that fat deposition within midthigh muscle, represented by low-density lean tissue, increases with deconditioning and obesity and is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the effects of a 6-mo weight loss and walking (3 times/wk) program (WL+AEX) on midthigh low-density lean tissue and glucose and lipid metabolism in 24 sedentary, obese [body mass index (kg/m(2)): 32 +/- 1 (mean +/- SEM)] postmenopausal women aged 58 +/- 1 y.


METHODS
Total body fat and fat-free mass were measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Intraabdominal fat (IAF), subcutaneous abdominal fat (SAF), midthigh fat, midthigh muscle, and midthigh low-density lean tissue areas were measured by using computed tomography. Glucose and insulin responses were determined with a 3-h oral-glucose-tolerance test.


RESULTS
Body weight decreased 8% (P: < 0.001) and maximal aerobic capacity increased 8% (P: < 0.001) with the weight loss and walking program. Total body fat decreased by 15% (P: < 0.001) whereas fat-free mass did not change. IAF and SAF decreased by 18% and 16%, respectively (P: < 0. 001). Midthigh fat and midthigh low-density lean tissue decreased by 16% and 18%, respectively (P: < 0.001), and midthigh muscle area increased by 7% (P: < 0.05). Fasting plasma insulin decreased by 12% and total glucose and insulin areas under the curve decreased by 6% and 24%, respectively (P: < 0.05). HDL-cholesterol concentrations increased 8% (P: < 0.05) and triacylglycerol concentrations decreased 19% (P: < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased physical fitness and weight loss reduce midthigh low-density lean tissue and improve glucose and lipid metabolic risk factors for CVD in obese postmenopausal women.
Ryan
A S
AS
Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the Baltimore Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore. alice@grecc.umaryland.edu
Nicklas
B J
BJ
Berman
D M
DM
Dennis
K E
KE
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013848:Thigh; D016138:Walking
D005947:Glucose