Multimodal Intervention for Weight Management and Health in the Elderly Population

Aging may be accompanied by changes in body composition, muscle strength, metabolic health, and well-being. In older adults with overweight or obesity, strategies that combine physical exercise, behavioral changes, and nutritional guidance may contribute to better health and the maintenance of healthier habits. This study aims to investigate the effects of a 16-week intervention combining resistance training, group cognitive behavioral therapy, and nutritional guidance for a higher-protein diet. Changes in body composition, muscle strength and function, vascular and metabolic health, cognitive function, psychological outcomes, quality of life, autonomy, self-care, and motivation for exercise and changes in eating habits will be assessed. The study will include adults aged 60 years or older who have low levels of physical activity and excess body fat. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group will receive resistance training only; the second group will receive resistance training plus group cognitive behavioral therapy; and the third group will receive resistance training, group cognitive behavioral therapy, and nutritional guidance for a higher-protein diet. This comparison will help determine the effects of each additional component of the intervention. Resistance training will be performed three times per week. Group cognitive behavioral therapy sessions will be held weekly and will address strategies to support sustainable behavioral changes, including self-awareness, goal setting, the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, problem-solving, and maintenance of behavioral changes. Nutritional guidance will also be provided in weekly group sessions, focusing on the sustainable adoption of a higher-protein diet using commonly consumed foods while considering participants' individual circumstances and autonomy. Assessments will be conducted before and after the 16-week intervention to evaluate potential changes