Abstract
OBJECTIVES:To assess the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity and its association with functionality, lifestyle, biomarkers, and morbidities in older adults.METHODS:The study analyzed cross-sectional data from 270 older adults who participated in phase III of the Frailty in Brazilian Older People Study (Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros—Rio de Janeiro, FIBRA-RJ study-2013). They took part in a home interview surveying socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, morbidities, and functional data. Blood was collected for biochemical marker analysis and participants’ body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. For women, the diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity was defined at a body fat percentage ≥38% and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI) <5.45 kg/m2. For men, a fat percentage ≥27% and ASMMI <7.26 kg/m2 was defined as sarcopenic obesity. Multivariate analysis was performed using a multinomial regression model (95% confidence intervals), with sarcopenic obesity as the outcome.RESULTS:The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 29.3%. In the final fitted model, the variables that displayed statistically significant association with sarcopenic obesity were lower gait speed, self-reported medical diagnosis of arthrosis or arthritis, and high levels of glycemia.CONCLUSION:The study showed a high prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in non-institutionalized older adults in Brazil. The finding that this condition was associated with modifiable risk factors may provide insights into measures directed at prevention and reduction of the risk of sarcopenic obesity in this population subgroup.
Highlights
The diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity (SO) considers the simultaneous presentation of high fat mass and low muscle mass; it represents the confluence between two bodycomposition phenotypes: sarcopenia and obesity
This study examined 270, predominantly female, older adults, of mean age 77.5 years (SD=5.92)
This study revealed a high prevalence of obesity and SO among older adults in Brazil
Summary
The diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity (SO) considers the simultaneous presentation of high fat mass and low muscle mass; it represents the confluence between two bodycomposition phenotypes: sarcopenia and obesity. Obesity and sarcopenia have come to be considered as global epidemics, having a substantial impact on older adults’ quality of life, mainly through the synergistic effects of these two factors. In Brazil, the prevalence of SO in older adults has increased in recent years [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Received for publication on August 27, 2020. Accepted for publication on September 21, 2020
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