The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of following either the Curves® Fitness and Weight Management Plan or the Weight Watchers® Momentum™ Plan on body composition and markers of health and fitness in previously sedentary obese women. Fifty-one women (age 35±8 yrs; height 163±7 cm; weight 90±1 kg; BMI 34±5 kg/m2; 47±7% body fat) were randomized to participate in the Curves® (C) or Weight Watchers® (W) weight loss programs for 16-wks. Participants in the C group (n=24) followed a 1,200 kcal/d diet for 1-wk; 1,500 kcal/d diet for 3 wks (~30%:45% CHO:PRO); and 2,000 kcals/d for 2-wks (45:30) and repeated this diet while participating in a supervised Curves® with Zumba program 3-d-wk. Remaining subjects (n=27) followed the W point-based diet program, received weekly group counseling, and were encouraged to exercise. Body composition, anthropometrics, resting energy expenditure (REE), lipid biomarkers, and hormone concentrations were assessed at 0, 4, 10, and 16 weeks. Maximal cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and upper and lower body isotonic strength and endurance were assessed at 0 and 16 weeks. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. MANOVA analysis of body composition data revealed overall time (Wilks’ Lamda p=0.001) and time by diet effects (Wilks’ Lamda p=0.003). Subjects in both groups lost a similar amount of total mass (C -2.4±2.0, -4.1±3.4, -5.1±3.9; W -2.3±2.3, -4.5±3.0, -5.5±4.6 kg, p=0.78). However, subjects in the C group tended to have a greater reduction in percent body fat (C -3.3±5.2, -3.2±4.6, -4.7±5.4; W 0.6±6.7, -0.6±8.3, -1.4±8.1%, p=0.10) and body fat mass (C -3.9±5.5, -4.6±5.3, -6.4±5.9; W -0.4±5.7, -2.1±6.7, -2.9±7.8 kg, p=0.09), while maintaining FFM (C 1.5±4.3, 0.52±3.7, 1.3±4.0; W -1.8±5.4, -2.4±5.8, -2.5±5.1, p=0.01). While both groups had increases cardiovascular fitness, the C group experienced improvements in upper body muscular endurance (C 1.4±3.9; W -1.2±2.4 repetitions, p=0.006). Both groups experienced improvements in lipid biomarkers; however, only the C group experienced a moderate increase in HDL-c. Results indicate that participants following the C program experienced more favorable changes in body composition and markers of fitness and health than participants in the W program.

The purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity (PA) engagement among older adults (OA) following discharge from a medically supervised group exercise program and to explore the facilitators and barriers that influenced maintained PA engagement. While facilitators and barriers to PA among OA in general have been well documented, facilitators and barriers particular to maintaining PA after discharge from a supervised exercise program have not been widely explored with qualitative methods or a mixed method design. Data for this mixed method, case study approach were collected in two phases. In Phase I, questionnaires were used to investigate PA engagement as well as semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed (n = 12; Mage = 80.0 years) to explore facilitators and barriers that influenced PA engagement. In Phase II, reviews of medical charts were conducted retrospectively to gather further information on PA engagement and barriers (n = 12). All 12 individuals in Phase I remained engaged in PA activity 2 – 48 months post completion of the medically supervised exercise program. This particular group of OA identified facilitators for and barriers to maintaining PA that were personally-, socially-, and program-based, and also provided suggestions to alleviate cited barriers. Four themes identified in regards to PA engagement were: (1) Personal drive: highly aware of the need to keep moving; (2) Social connections and support: we all need people; (3) Program components matter; and, (4) Convenient, Affordable, Relevant: suggestions to improve program access. The power of multi-level, multi-sector approaches that consider the broader determinants of health was highlighted in this study. Participants identified the need for health care providers (HCP) and PA instructors to continue to communicate the benefits of PA, the importance of ongoing HCP support, and the necessity of working across sectors to reduce program related barriers to promote PA engagement among OA discharged from a medically supervised exercise program. / Graduate / melodyburgoyne@hotmail.com