Improvements in Functional Exercise Capacity after a Residential Behavioural Change, Diet and Fitness Program for Obese Adults

• DOI: 10.1002/pri.1623
• Publication Date: 2015-03-17T13:01:34Z
• Authors: Sadye Paez Errickson; Ronette L. Kolotkin; Megan Simmons Ski...; Gerald Endress; Truls Østbye; Ross Crosby; Howard Eisenson
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Diet, Reducing; Health Promotion; Body Mass Index; Cohort Studies; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Behavior Therapy; Weight Loss; Humans; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Exercise; 2. Zero hunger; Exercise Tolerance; Middle Aged; Overweight; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Treatment Outcome; Physical Fitness; Quality of Life; Female

AbstractBackground and purposeObese adults are at an increased risk for mobility‐related problems. National guidelines recommend calorie restrictions and exercise for obese adults as a means to improve functional fitness capacity and to increase mobility. Yet, lifestyle weight loss interventions often fail to measure fitness changes. The aim of this study was to assess whether a 1‐month, intensive behavioural change, diet and fitness intervention for overweight and obese adults would result in statistically significant and clinically meaningful changes in functional exercise.MethodsA pre–post test design was used in this study. Seventy‐two participants (40 women, 32 men; mean baseline body mass index (BMI) = 42.6 + 9.0; mean age = 45.8 + 16.8) completed a modified 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), performed on a treadmill, at baseline and at end of treatment.ResultsSignificant improvements included decreased BMI (2.7 + 1.7 kg m−2, p < 0.001) and increased 6MWT distance (66.4 + 73.0 m, p < 0.001). The 6MWT improved by 66 m on average, a reported clinically meaningful difference. Greater improvements in the 6MWT were significantly correlated with greater weight loss and BMI reduction.DiscussionOur findings suggest that rehabilitation beyond weight loss may be derived from participation in a brief, intensive behavioural change, diet and fitness programme. Physiotherapists are in a prime position to address the physical and motivational challenges participants face while living with severe obesity: targeting functional exercise capacity is one key strategy for addressing immobility associated with obesity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.