Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

Moderate weight loss in obese elderly helps improve physical function and combats frailty, a new study indicates.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis studied adults in their 60s and 70s who were able to achieve moderate weight loss through diet and exercise. A total of 27 frail obese older volunteers were randomly assigned to 26 weeks of diet and exercise, or no treatment. Frailty decreased and physical functioning and health-related quality of life increased in the treatment group.

The treatment group also experienced improvements in muscle strength, walking speed, endurance and balance. The study was published in the April 24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.