Dynapenia and Metabolic Health in Obese and Nonobese Adults Aged 70 Years and Older: The LIFE Study

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dynapenia and metabolic risk factors in obese and non-obese older adults. Methods A total of 1453 men and women (age ≥ 70 years) from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study were categorized as (1) non-dynapenic/non-obese (NDYN-NO), (2) dynapenic/non-obese (DYN-NO), (3) non-dynapenic/obese (NDYN-O), or (4) dynapenic/obese (DYN-O), based on muscle strength (FNIH criteria) and body mass index. Dependent variables were blood lipids, fasting glucose, blood pressure, presence of at least three metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria and other chronic conditions. Results A significantly higher likelihood of having abdominal obesity criteria in NDYN-NO compared to DYN-NO groups (55.6 vs 45.1%, p ≤ 0.01) was observed. Waist circumference was also significantly higher in obese groups (DYN-O=114.0±12.9 and NDYN-O=111.2±13.1) than in non-obese (NDYN-NO=93.1±10.7 and DYN-NO=92.2±11.2, p ≤ 0.01); and higher in NDYN-O compared to DYN-O (p = 0.008). Additionally, NDYN-O demonstrated higher diastolic blood pressure compared to DYN-O (70.9±10.1 vs 67.7±9.7, p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were found across dynapenia and obesity status for all other metabolic components (p>0.05). The odds of having metabolic syndrome or its individual components were similar in obese and non-obese, combined or not with dynapenia (non-significant OR [95%CI]). Conclusion Non-obese dynapenic older adults had fewer metabolic disease risk factors than non-obese and non-dynapenic older adults. Moreover, among obese older adults, dynapenia was associated with lower risk of meeting metabolic syndrome criteria for waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, the presence of dynapenia did not increase cardiometabolic disease risk in either obese or non-obese older adults.

Impact of adiposity on muscle function and clinical events among elders with dynapenia, presarcopenia and sarcopenia: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…In contrast, the other study found that both low muscle mass and low muscle strength played a synergistic effect in increasing the risk of losing physical independence [ 12 ]. However, studies comparing the impact on clinical adverse events among dynapenia, presarcopenia and sarcopenia in older individuals are scarce [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Body Composition Characteristics of Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dynapenia

“…Dynapenia is defined as an age-related loss in muscle strength in older adults that negatively affects their medical conditions, including metabolic syndrome ( 1 ), dementia ( 2 ), or mortality ( 3 ). Additionally, dynapenia is associated with abdominal obesity that worsens older adults' ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living over time ( 4 ).…”

Association between sarcopenic obesity and higher risk of type 2 diabetes in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In the same year, a cross-sectional study by Aubertin-Leheudre et al[40] aimed to examine the association between dynapenic obesity and metabolic risk factors in older adults (age ≥ 70 years). Dynapenic obesity was defined as low handgrip strength (u 19.9 in females; ≤ 31.9 in males) combined with a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m 2 .…”