A weight reduction intervention that optimizes use of practitioner's time, lowers glucose level, and raises HDL cholesterol level in older adults.

Objective: The effects of a cognitive-behavioral weight control intervention were compared in two independent-living, older adult (mean age = 70.5 years) communities.

Design: The research design compared the experimental community (n = 163), which received the intervention, with the control community (n = 162).

Subjects: Overweight individuals (> 4.5 kg of age-adjusted weight according to height-weight tables) were recruited from both communities.

Intervention: Components of the Dietary Intervention: Evaluation of Technology (DIET) program included a video-tape, a workbook, computerized tracking of participants, a telephone hot line, educational group discussions, and individual consultation.

Outcome Measures: Changes in body weight, body mass index, and lipid and glucose measures were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance by group was done to compare changes in continuous variables between the intervention and control communities.

Results: Baseline body mass index and weight were 30.8 and 79.5 kg, respectively, in the experimental community and 28.8 and 75.8 kg, respectively, in the control community. Mean weight change in the experimental community was -3.2 kg after 40 weeks of intervention, compared with no weight change in the control community (P < .0001). Mean plasma glucose level decreased -0.3 mmol/L and mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased 0.15 mmol/L in the experimental community, compared with no change in lipid parameter and a +0.3 mmol increase in glucose level in the control community (P < .0001).

Applications: Our findings suggest that an intervention that optimizes use of the practitioner's time can achieve a moderate weight loss and metabolic improvement in a community of older adults.