FIT & STRONG! PLUS: DESCRIPTIVE DEMOGRAPHIC AND RISK CHARACTERISTICS IN A COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS TRIAL FOR OLDER...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence is rising in the US, particularly among overweight and obese populations.
• Lifestyle factors like diet and physical activity (PA) significantly impact OA management.
• Evidence-based programs are crucial for addressing OA and associated comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of Fit & Strong! (PA program) versus Fit & Strong! Plus (PA + weight management) for adults with lower extremity OA.
• To evaluate the impact of combined interventions on diet and weight in a specific demographic.
• To understand baseline lifestyle patterns in overweight/obese adults with OA.

Main Methods:

• A comparative effectiveness trial involving 413 overweight/obese adults (BMI 25-50 kg/m²) with lower extremity OA.
• Participants were predominantly African-American and female.
• Both groups engaged in interventions three times weekly for eight weeks, with primary measures including diet and weight.

Main Results:

• Baseline characteristics revealed a mean BMI of 34.8 kg/m², high fat intake, and low self-reported PA.
• The study identified potential discrepancies between self-reported and performance-based measures influenced by age.

Conclusions:

• Overweight/obese African-American adults with OA exhibited suboptimal baseline lifestyle patterns.
• Age may influence the relationship between self-reported and performance-based health measures.
• Further research is needed to optimize interventions for this population.