Aim: 

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of weight reduction on abdominal fat distribution and major depression symptoms.

Methods: 

494 patients (373 female), 65–85 years old, were studied. Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric measurements (AMs): body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TS). Hand-grip (HG), bio-impedance analysis and geriatric depression scale (GDS) were performed before and after six month diet treatment.

Results: 

According to GDS (> 5) we differentiated males depressed (MD) or not depressed (MND); females depressed (FD) or not depressed (FND). MD showed significant reductions in BMI (29,06 ± 3,63 vs. 30,1 ± 4,0 kg/mq baseline), WC (103,19 ± 10,64 vs. 106,91 ± 11,14 cm), TS (22,32 ± 8,71 vs. 18,42 ± 7,70 mm), GDS (7,27 ± 3,52 vs. 9,61±2,47) with HG significantly increased (39,37 ± 6,60 vs. 37,22 ± 7,59 kgm). MND showed significant reductions in AMs and increase in HG, but GDS was 2,5 ± 2,25 vs. 3,94 ± 3,01. FD showed significant reductions in BMI (33,67 ± 4,96 vs. 35,99 ± 5,38 kg/mq), WC (102,94 ± 13.16 vs. 110,02 ± 12,21 cm), TS (24,98 ± 6,82 vs. 27,85 ± 6,26 mm), GDS (8,5 ± 3,09 vs. 11,77 ± 1,06), while HG significantly increased (24,18 ± 5,76 vs 19,77 ± 4,31 kgm). FND showed significant reductions in AMs and increase in HG, but GDS was 3,22 ± 3,04 vs 4,22 ± 3,54.

Conclusions: 

Hypo-caloric diet facilitated weight loss in obese aging people, improving nutritional status and ameliorating major depression symptoms.