Associations between different measurements of sarcopenic obesity and health outcomes among non-frail community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan

Abstract

The most important issue for the clinical application of sarcopenic obesity is the lack of a consensus definition. The aim of this study was to determine the best measurement for sarcopenic obesity by estimating the association between various definitions and the risk of falls and metabolic syndrome. We studied a community of 765 adults aged 65 and older in 2015-2017. Sarcopenia obesity was measured by sarcopenia (defined by low muscle mass with either low handgrip strength or low gait speed or both) plus obesity (defined by waist circumference, body fat percentage, and BMI). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the relationships between sarcopenia obesity and risk of fall and metabolic syndrome. In the analysis of the fall risk with sarcopenic obesity defined by waist circumference, the participants with nonsarcopenia/nonobesity were treated as the reference group. The odds ratio to fall in participants with sarcopenic obesity was 10.16 (95% CI, 2.71-38.13) after adjusting for confounding covariates. In the analysis of the risk of metabolic syndrome between participants with individual components of sarcopenia coupled with obesity defined by waist circumference, the risk was statistically significant for low gait speed (OR: 7.19; 95% 3.61-14.30) and low grip strength (OR: 9.19; 95% CI: 5.00-16.91). A combination of low grip strength and abdominal obesity for identifying sarcopenic obesity may be a more precise and practical method for predicting target populations with unfavorable health risks, such as falls risk and metabolic syndrome.

Definition and Diagnostic Criteria for Sarcopenic Obesity: ESPEN and EASO Consensus Statement

“…The negative clinical consequences of SO are of paramount importance. Sarcopenic obesity has been so far identified through various definitions and diagnostic constructs, but it has been consistently demonstrated to be a strong and independent risk factor for frailty, comorbidities and mortality in various highly prevalent disease conditions, as well as for mortality in the general and especially in the older population [17][18][19].…”

Impact of Sarcopenic Obesity on Severe Postoperative Complications in Patients with Gastric Cancer Undergoing Gastrectomy

“…Sarcopenic obesity has been reported to be an independent risk factor for mortality and various diseases in older individuals [36][37][38]. Kim et al [39] suggest that sarcopenic obesity is not a simple combination of sarcopenia and obesity but is rather a more complex condition.…”

The Applicability of the ESPEN and EASO-Defined Diagnostic Criteria for Sarcopenic Obesity in Japanese Patients after Stroke: Prevalence and Association with Outcomes

“…Sarcopenic obesity, characterized by the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, has gained increased interest in both research and clinical practice [ 1 ]. Sarcopenic obesity, compared with sarcopenia alone or obesity alone, tends to increase the risk of negative health-related outcomes, including falls, comorbidities, physical dependency, frailty, institutionalization, and mortality, in various highly prevalent disease conditions and mortality in the general population, especially in the older population [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. However, despite the growing interest in sarcopenic obesity in geriatric populations, information on sarcopenic obesity and its potential impact on functional outcomes in geriatric rehabilitation settings is lacking.…”