title: Diet-induced weight loss, exercise, and chronic inflammation in older, obese adults: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent, low-grade inflammation is an independent predictor of several chronic diseases and all-cause mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The intention of this study was to determine the independent and combined effects of diet-induced weight loss and exercise on markers of chronic inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred sixteen community-dwelling, older (> or = 60 y), overweight or obese [body mass index (in kg/m2) > or = 28], sedentary men and women with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to four 18-mo treatments: healthy lifestyle control, diet-induced weight loss, exercise, and diet plus exercise. The exercise intervention consisted of combined weight training and walking for 1 h 3 times/wk. The weight-loss intervention consisted of a weekly session with a registered dietitian to provide education and support for lowering energy intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diet-induced weight-loss intervention resulted in significantly greater reductions in concentrations of C-reactive protein (P = 0.01), interleukin 6 (P = 0.009), and soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 1 (P = 0.007) than did no weight-loss treatment. Changes in soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 1 but not in C-reactive protein or interleukin 6 correlated with changes in body weight. Exercise training did not have a significant effect on these inflammatory biomarkers, and there was no significant interaction between weight loss and exercise training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide evidence from a randomized controlled trial that a dietary intervention designed to elicit weight loss reduces overall inflammation in older, obese persons. Additional studies are needed to assess the effects of different modes and intensities of exercise on inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. bnicklas@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Nicklas
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ambrosius
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Messier
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Brenda W J H
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Penninx
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Loeser
authors.forename: Shana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palla
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bleecker
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pahor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D002097:C-Reactive Protein