Resistance Exercise May Help Reduce Bone Loss in Obese, Older Adults

A study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research suggests resistance exercise could help reduce bone loss in obese older adults, reports News-Medical . The researchers studied 160 obese men and women aged 65 or older who were living in New Mexico. Resistance exercise, alone or in combination with aerobic exercise, was found to be effective in reducing weight loss-induced decreases in hip bone density. Aerobic exercise alone was ineffective, which means resistance exercise can be recommended to shield against bone loss during weight loss regimens in obese older adults. "It is never too late to practice a healthy lifestyle through diet and regular exercise, especially that which includes resistance exercise to improve physical function and preserve bone health during aging," said Baylor College of Medicine's Dennis T. Villareal.