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
Authors' conclusion
Higher protein intake had a beneficial effect on hip bone strength in older adults with overweight/obesity undergoing a WL intervention over the short-term.
Study context
- Population
- Older adults with overweight/obesity in 6 months of active weight loss (caloric restriction + aerobic exercise) followed by a 12-month maintenance phase
- Participants
- 187 adults
- Comparison
- Higher protein intake (1.2 g/kg/day) for 6 or 18 months vs Recommended Dietary Allowance protein (0.8 g/kg/day) during weight loss
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Hip bone strength change (finite element modeling of a sideways fall) · 6 months
P = 0.02
- Similar 6-month weight loss (WL) across groups
- −8.0 ± 5.0%
Further findings
Hip bone outcomes at 18 months
- Eighteen-month group differences were non-significant
Association of greater WL with bone changes (Spearman's correlations)
- Greater WL associated with greater gains in hip bone strength at 6 months
- P = 0.007
- Greater WL associated with greater trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) loss at 18 months
- P = 0.011
- Greater WL associated with aBMD loss at 6 and 18 months
- P < 0.001
Original publication
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. Osteoporos Int. Published 19 January 2026. doi:10.
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