Rationale and Design for a Higher (Dairy) Protein Weight Loss Intervention That Promotes Muscle Quality and Bone Health in Older Adults with Obesity: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

In contrast to recommendations for young and middle-aged adults, intentional weight loss among older adults remains controversial and is inconsistently advised. Recent research suggests that a higher protein diet can mitigate loss of lean mass during periods of intentional weight loss among older adults with obesity; however, the effects of intentional weight loss on skeletal muscle and bone are not fully understood. The Dairy in the Diet Yields New Approaches for Muscle Optimization (DDYNAMO) trial is a 6-month, randomized, controlled pilot study assessing the effects of combining regular, generous intakes of high quality protein (30 g/meal; primarily from dairy) with caloric restriction (−500kcal/d) and low-intensity resistance exercise (30 min/3 times per week) on muscle quality, muscle composition, bone mineral density in men and women aged ≥60 years with obesity and mild to moderate functional impairment (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] score ≥4 to ≤10). Participants will be re-assessed at 18 months to evaluate weight maintenance, bone mineral density, physical function, and other secondary measures.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02437643

Keywords:

• Obesity
• muscle quality
• sarcopenic obesity
• older adults
• weight loss intervention
• protein intake

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Richard Dennis, PhD and Christopher Slentz, PhD for their expertise and insight into CT image interpretation and use of the Slice-O-Matic software.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the National Dairy Council and supported by the National Institutes of Health [Grant 5T32 AG00029 to MGM], the Claude Pepper Independence Center [5P30AG028716-13 to CFP], and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Program [IK2 RX002348 to KNPS; I01 RX002843 to CWB]. Quest Nutrition LLC agreed to donate the whey protein powder utilized in this study. Funding and support sources did not contribute to the design of the study or contribute to the writing of this paper.