Better blood sugar in later life

Published in: Int J Obes 2014
People studied: 107

In 107 frail adults aged 65 or older with obesity, losing about 9 to 10 kg went with better blood sugar, waist and blood pressure.

Checked against: PubMed 23823329
Published in: Int J Obes 2014
Last checked: 30 October 2026

Key takeaway

This one-year trial randomly assigned 107 frail adults aged 65 or older with obesity to diet, exercise, diet plus exercise, or no programme. The two diet groups lost about 9 to 10 kg. They improved blood sugar handling, waist size (about 8 cm less), blood fats and blood pressure, while the exercise-only and control groups did not change on these. Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of these risks, went from 22 to 11 of 28 people with diet plus exercise, and from 19 to 15 of 26 with diet alone.

At a glance

Type of study: randomised trial
People studied: 107
How long: 1 year
Compared with: a control group and an exercise-only group
Main result: Blood sugar, waist and blood pressure improved with weight loss.
Strength of evidence: Randomised trials

What this study does not show

A small trial in frail older adults, so it may not apply to everyone in this age group. It comes from the same trial as the 'Stronger in later life' card, reporting different results.

Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.