FEASIBILITY OF WEIGHTED VEST USE DURING A DIETARY WEIGHT LOSS INTERVENTION AND EFFECTS ON BODY COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS

Background: While intentional weight loss in older adults with obesity yields clinically important health benefits there is a need to minimize the negative effects of weight loss on concomitant loss of muscle mass and strength. Data show wearing weighted vests during exercise improves lean mass and lower extremity strength, however the efficacy of wearing a weighted vest during a period of weight loss to mitigate muscle and strength loss is not...