Stronger in later life
- Published in
- NEJM 2011
- People studied
- 107
In a trial of 107 adults aged 65 and over with obesity, diet plus exercise raised a physical performance score by 21%, against 1% in the comparison group.
- Checked against
- PubMed 21449785
- Published in
- NEJM 2011
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
In this one-year randomised trial, 107 adults aged 65 and over with obesity were assigned to diet, exercise, both, or a control group. Diet plus exercise raised a physical performance score by 21%, more than diet alone (12%) or exercise alone (15%), and the control group changed by 1%. Weight fell by about 9 to 10% with diet, and adding exercise meant less loss of lean body mass and hip bone density.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial
- People studied
- 107
- How long
- 1 year
- Compared with
- a control group, a diet-only group and an exercise-only group
- Main result
- Physical performance up 21% with diet plus exercise, 1% in controls.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
A fairly small trial of about 100 people, lasting one year. Diet alone still led to some loss of lean body mass and hip bone density.
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.
More on whole body
- Lower risk of deathRandomised trials · Ma et al., BMJ 2017
- Linked with lower risk of some cancersLong-term or observational studies · Luo et al., JNCI Cancer Spectr 2019
- 13 cancer types linked with excess fatLong-term or observational studies · Lauby-Secretan et al., NEJM 2016
- Fewer deaths over 30 yearsRandomised trials · Gong et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2019
- Lower risk of serious kidney diseaseRandomised trials · Look AHEAD Research Group, Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2014
- Stronger in later lifeRandomised trials · Villareal et al., NEJM 2011
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