Analysis of body composition, functionality and muscle-specific strength of older women with obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract During aging, changes in body composition can result in sarcopenic obesity, which is a condition in which obesity occurs accompanied by the loss of muscle mass and strength caused by sarcopenia. Although the effects of obesity and sarcopenia on body composition are known, the muscle-specific strength in older women with sarcopenic obesity remains under-researched. The objective of this study was to evaluate community-dwelling older women for the absence or presence of obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and compare them in terms of body composition, functional physical performance and muscle-specific strength. One hundred and fifty-six older women (± 74 years) were evaluated for body composition using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry, handgrip strength with a Jamar dynamometer and functional performance using gait speed and timed up and go tests. The presence of obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was found in 32.7%, 15.4% and 25% of the sample, respectively. Comparing groups, community-dwelling older women with sarcopenic obesity exhibited poorer functional physical performance (TUG ± 14 s), and lower muscle-specific strength (± 1.18). Sarcopenic obesity was associated with muscle-specific strength (95% IC 0.016–0.241), and TUG (95% CI 1.001–1.137). These findings indicate that the combination of obesity and sarcopenia has a negative impact on skeletal muscle, reducing muscle-specific strength and physical performance in older women with more declines than either disease alone. Therefore, this comprehensive assessment gives useful information for incorporating muscle-specific strength into the diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity in the older people.

Keywords

• Sarcopenic obesity
• Muscle quality index
• Physical function
• Fat percentage
• Older women