title: 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.
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.
authors: a Department of Kinesiology , University of Rhode Island , Kingston , Rhode Island , USA.
authors: Furong
authors: F
authors: Xu
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Letendre
authors: Jillian
authors: J
authors: Bekke
authors: Nowen
authors: N
authors: Beebe
authors: Leslie
authors: L
authors: Mahler
authors: Ingrid E
authors: IE
authors: Lofgren
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Delmonico
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects; D058620:Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000009:adverse effects; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Tai Chi; blood pressure; body composition; obesity; older adults; physical function