Correlation Between Sarcopenia and Obesity in Patients Seen in a Clinic in Aracaju

Abstract

Introduction:The term sarcopenic obesity means the co-presence of obesity and sarcopenia. The complex interaction of common pathophysiological mechanisms marks the close relationship between these two conditions. Sarcopenia reduces physical activity, which leads to decreased energy expenditure and increases the risk of obesity. In contrast, an increase in visceral fat induces inflammation, which contributes to the development of sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between sarcopenia and obesity using data obtained from patients at a private clinic in Aracaju, in the state of Sergipe. Methods: Clinical, crosssectional, descriptive study with a quantitative analytical approach. Data were collected between November 2021 and March 2022. The following variables were analyzed: BMI, waistto-hip ratio, subcutaneous fat measurement, intra-abdominal fat measurement, Elbow flexion strength and Knee extension strength. This project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Tiradentes (Aracaju-SE) under opinion 2,795,512. In all hypothesis tests performed, the conclusion was obtained through the interpretation of the P-value, adopting a significance level P-value < 0.05. The software used was R, version 4.0.4. Results: A total of 79 people aged between 16 and 70 years old were evaluated. There was no statistically significant correlation between biceps (elbow flexion) and hamstring (knee extension) strength with BMI, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, intraabdominal fat and subcutaneous fat. Regarding Waist Circumference, there was a statistically significant correlation with biceps strength, which showed direct proportionality between both. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant association between obesity and biceps and hamstring strength, except for that found between Waist Circumference and biceps strength. Based on this outcome,