A three-week in-hospital multidisciplinary body weight reduction program exerts beneficial effects on physical and mental health and fatiguability of elderly patients with obesity

Guerrini Usubini, Anna and Bottacchi, Michela and Bondesan, Adele and Caroli, Diana and Castelnuovo, Gianluca and Sartorio, Alessandro (2022) A three-week in-hospital multidisciplinary body weight reduction program exerts beneficial effects on physical and mental health and fatiguability of elderly patients with obesity. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14. ISSN 1663-4365

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Abstract

Introduction: Obesity represents one of the most serious problems of public health affecting elderly populations in an increasingly relevant way. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of a 3-week in-hospital multidisciplinary body weight reduction program (BWRP) in a sample of elderly patients with obesity on reducing body mass index (BMI), improving fatigue, muscle performance, and psychological well-being.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-seven consecutive elderly in-patients with obesity (males = 84; females = 153; age range = 65–86 yrs.; mean BMI = 43.7) undergoing a three-week multidisciplinary BWRP participated in the study. Data on BMI, fatiguability (measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), muscle performance (evaluated with the Stair Climbing Test, SCT), and psychological well-being (assessed with the Psychological General Well- Being Index, PGWBI) were collected before and after the intervention.

Results: Results showed that BWRP was capable to reduce BMI [F(1.00, 235.00) = 1226.8; p < 0.001; ƞ2 = 0.024], improve perceived fatigue [F(1,234) = 296.80125; p < 0.001; ƞ2 = 0.129], physical performance [F(1.00,158.00) = 119.26; p < 0.001; ƞ2 = 0.026], and enhance psychological well-being [F(1,235) = 169.0; p < 0.001; ƞ2 = 0.103] in both males and females.

Discussion: Although it will be necessary to demonstrate with further longitudinal studies whether the reported beneficial effects will be maintained over time, the effectiveness of a 3-week BWRP on different aspects involved in determining a level of autonomy and good quality of life of elderly obese patients appears to represent a valid attempt to counteract – at least in part – the unavoidable and progressive disability of these patients.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Lib Research Guardians > Medical Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@lib.researchguardians.com
Date Deposited: 18 Apr 2023 08:05
Last Modified: 22 Jul 2024 06:33
URI: http://eprints.classicrepository.com/id/eprint/777

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