Vern Blake, 67, now a retired information security professional, had allowed stress to get in the way of good health. He had also gotten heavy and suffered constant pain in his knee. Then he participated in a weight-loss study that turned his life around.
The ongoing study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and is led by Washington University geriatric specialist Dennis Villareal, MD, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Its aim is to determine the effects of weight loss and exercise on frailty among obese older adults.
"There has been concern that weight-loss therapy is not effective in the older population and may have harmful effects on muscle and bone mass," Dr. Villareal says. "On the contrary we found that appropriate weight-management guidelines can actually improve physical function and reverse frailty in older persons."
The program consists simply of diet and exercise. Like many of the participants, Blake''s regimen included aerobic exercise and resistance-training three times a week as well as a session with a dietitian once a week. As result, the pain in his knee stopped and his flexibility, stamina and balance improved. He lost 10 percent of his total body weight—the goal for metabolic testing—and his cholesterol levels dropped significantly.
Another benefit of the program was that when Blake aimed for a higher exercise level, he discovered a 77 percent blockage in his heart. "I didn''t have any symptoms, so I''m glad we caught that problem in time," he says. The doctors then placed a stent on his heart to ensure good blood circulation.
Since participating in the program, Blake has made important changes in his exercise and diet habits. He now goes to the gym three times a week, carefully monitors his food intake and chooses healthier food options.
He regained some of his old weight when he injured his ankle, but it was only a temporary setback. He has since resumed his regular exercise routine. "The ability to sustain behavior change after an injury is a major achievement for Mr. Blake," Dr. Villareal says.
Recently, Blake took a part-time job to keep not only his body but also his mind active. "I think physical activity and mental flexibility are key to healthy aging," he says.
Today, he looks forward to an active and fulfilling retirement. That includes, he says, leisurely walks in the park with his wife and spending quality time with his seven children and nine grandchildren.
This NIH-sponsored study is currently recruiting participants. If you are 40 pounds overweight, do not have diabetes, and are interested in a study of weight loss and exercise for one year please contact Nichole Wright at 314-362-2394.