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Journal of Aging Research
Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 392510, 8 pages
doi:10.4061/2011/392510
The Impact of Behavioral Intervention on Obesity Mediated Declines in Mobility Function: Implications for Longevity
1Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development, Brain Rehabilitation Research Center Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
2Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
3Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
Received 14 April 2011; Accepted 10 August 2011
Academic Editor: Leonard W. Poon
Copyright © 2011 Joe Nocera et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
A primary focus of longevity research is to identify prognostic risk factors that can be mediated by early treatment efforts. To date, much of this work has focused on understanding the biological processes that may contribute to aging process and age-related disease conditions. Although such processes are undoubtedly important, no current biological intervention aimed at increasing health and lifespan exists. Interestingly, a close relationship between mobility performance and the aging process has been documented in older adults. For example, recent studies have identified functional status, as assessed by walking speed, as a strong predictor of major health outcomes, including mortality, in older adults. This paper aims to describe the relationship between the comorbidities related to decreased health and lifespan and mobility function in obese, older adults. Concurrently, lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, are described as a means to improve mobility function and thereby limit the functional limitations associated with increased mortality.