BACKGROUND: Insufficient physical activity (PA), overweight and abdominal obesity are increasing global public health problems.
DESIGN: Randomized controlled 6-month intervention study.
METHODS: One hundred and one 68-year-old individuals (57% female) with low PA, overweight (BMI 25-40 kg/m) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference >88 cm in women and >102 cm in men), were randomized to PA on prescription (PAP) or a minimal intervention. PA measured by several methods, anthropometric parameters, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at baseline and after intervention.
RESULTS: Favourable changes in anthropometrics, body composition, S-glucose, glycosolated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood lipids and apolipoproteins were seen in the PAP group. In the control group, however, some positive changes were also noted. Bodyweight, neck circumference, fat mass, S-cholesterol and HbA1c decreased significantly more in the PAP group.
CONCLUSION: Individualized PAP improves body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in sedentary older overweight individuals. PAP might be useful in clinical practice to counteract the epidemic of sedentary lifestyle and concomitant cardiometabolic disorders.
2009. Vol. 16, no 1, p. 80-4