The effect of later-life health promotion on functional performance and body composition

Background and aims: Functional decline in older adults is related physiologically to both aging and lifestyle-related risk factors. The role of health promotion and lifestyle modifications in preventing functional performance decline in community-dwelling older adults has not been well established. We evaluated the effects of an education-based health promotion program on functional performance and body composition in midlife and older adults. Methods: A prospective study of a 4-week health promotion program for community-dwelling older adults. Outcome measures of gait speed, chair rise time, grip strength, weight, body mass index (BMI) and bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for body fat were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Results: Participants (n=117) with a mean age 62.9±8 years; 63.2% were women. Gait speed improved by 0.20 ms-1 (95% CI 0.14, 0.29; p<0.001) and chair rise time decreased by 0.36 s (95% CI -0.13, -0.56; p=0.001) at 12 months. There was no change in grip strength (p=0.433). There was a modest decrease in weight 0.55 kg (95% CI -0.08, -1.01; p=0.019), BMI 0.35 kgm-2 (95% CI -0.02,-0.64; p=0.033) and fat impedance 0.75% (95% CI -0.09,-1.26; p=0.021) at 12 months. Imputation to account for missing outcomes did not alter overall conclusions. Conclusion: A 4-week education-based health promotion in later-life is feasible and may help to improve and maintain functional performance and body composition in midlife and older adults. © 2008, Editrice Kurtis.