Effect of protein supplementation on hip bone mineral density, cortical thickness, and bone strength in older adult participants during a caloric restriction and aerobic exercise weight loss intervention: a randomized controlled trial

This trial assessed the effects of higher protein intake on hip bone outcomes in 187 older adults with overweight/obesity participating in 6 months of active WL (caloric restriction + aerobic exercise) followed by a 12-month maintenance phase. Participants were randomized to either the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein intake of 0.8 g protein/kg body weight/day (RecProt) or higher protein intake of 1.2 g protein/kg/day for the 6-month WL period only (6-mo HiProt) or the full 18-month period (18-mo HiProt). CT scans at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months were analyzed for hip volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and cortical thickness; bone strength was assessed via finite element modeling of a sideways fall. Areal (a)BMD was measured with hip dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Analyses examined 6-month and 18-month bone changes using analysis of covariance, and Spearman's correlations of WL vs. bone changes.

Greater WL was associated with greater gains in hip bone strength (p = 0.007) at 6 months, but greater trabecular vBMD loss at 18 months (p = 0.011) and aBMD loss at 6 and 18 months (p