Effects of Calorie Restriction in Obese Older Adults: The CROSSROADS Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

Jamy D. Ard, Wake Forest University
Barbara Gower, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Gary Hunter, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Christine S. Ritchie, University of California, San Francisco
David L. Roth, Johns Hopkins University
Amy Goss, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Brooks C. Wingo, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Eric V. Bodner, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Cynthia J. Brown, University of Alabama at Birmingham
David Bryan, University of Alabama at Birmingham
David R. Buys, Mississippi State University
Marilyn C. Haas, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Akilah Dulin Keita, Brown University
Lee Anne Flagg, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Courtney P. Williams, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Julie L. Locher, University of Alabama at Birmingham

ORCID

Buys: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8547-056X

MSU Affiliation

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Creation Date

2026-01-29

Abstract

Background: We lack a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of calorie restriction in older adults at high risk for cardiometabolic disease. Calorie restriction may reduce visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but also have negative effects on lean mass and quality of life.Methods: We conducted a 52-week, randomized controlled trial involving 164 older adults with obesity taking at least one medication for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes. Interventions included an exercise intervention alone (Exercise), or with diet modification and body weight maintenance (Maintenance), or with diet modification and energy restriction (Weight Loss). The primary outcome was change in VAT at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included cardiometabolic risk factors, functional status, and quality of life.Results: A total of 148 participants had measured weight at 12 months. Despite loss of -1.6% ± 0.3% body fat and 4.1% ± 0.7% initial body weight, Weight Loss did not have statistically greater loss of VAT (-192.6 ± 185.2 cm3) or lean mass (-0.4 ± 0.3 kg) compared with Exercise (VAT = -21.9 ± 173.7 cm3; lean mass = 0.3 ± 0.3 kg). Quality of life improved in all groups with no differences between groups. No significant changes in physical function were observed. Weight Loss had significantly greater improvements in blood glucose (-8.3 ± 3.6 mg/dL, p < .05) and HDL-cholesterol (5.3 ± 1.9, p < .01) compared with Exercise. There were no group differences in the frequency of adverse events.Conclusions: While moderate calorie restriction did not significantly decrease VAT in older adults at high risk for cardiometabolic disease, it did reduce total body fat and cardiometabolic risk factors without significantly more adverse events and lean mass loss.

Publication Date

12-21-2016

Publication Title

The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

Publisher

Oxford University Press

First Page

73

Last Page

80

Recommended Citation

Jamy D Ard, Barbara Gower, Gary Hunter, Christine S Ritchie, David L Roth, Amy Goss, Brooks C Wingo, Eric V Bodner, Cynthia J Brown, David Bryan, David R Buys, Marilyn C Haas, Akilah Dulin Keita, Lee Anne Flagg, Courtney P Williams, Julie L Locher, Effects of Calorie Restriction in Obese Older Adults: The CROSSROADS Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 73, Issue 1, January 2018, Pages 73–80, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glw237