Effects of a Dietary and Tai Chi Intervention on Body Composition in Obese Older Women

Tai Chi is an alternative exercise that has not been thoroughly investigated as an intervention strategy in this population when combined with dietary weight loss. A 16‐week non‐randomized intervention using Tai Chi and behaviorally‐based weight loss (TCWL, n=29) in older (68.2±1.5 yrs) obese (BMI=35.4±0.8kg/m2) women was conducted while using a control group (CON, n=9; BMI=38.0±1.5 kg/m2; age=65.5±2.7 yrs). Primary outcome measurements included total body mass, BMI, percent fat (via bioelectrical impedance analysis), body mass, hip and waist circumferences. Participants in the TCWL group engaged in twice weekly Tai Chi sessions (~45 min) and once weekly behaviorally‐based dietary weight loss meetings. The CON group was asked to continue with their daily routines during the intervention. The TCWL group lost 1.6±2.9 kg (P=0.006) and the CON group showed no change (−1.2±1.9 kg; P=0.11). BMI did not change in either the TCWL group (−0.7±1.0 kg/m2, P>;0.0017) or in the CON group (−0.5±1.0 kg/m2, P>;0.1896). There were no changes in fat mass or waist circumference in either group (both P>;0.05). The results from this preliminary study show that the combination of Tai Chi and dietary weight loss may not be effective in altering key measures of body composition in obese older women but further study is needed with more substantial weight loss.