Sarcopenic obesity: definition, cause and consequences : Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care (original) (raw)

Nutrition and physiological function: Edited by Wim H.M. Saris, Steven B. Heymsfield and William J. Evans

Stenholm, Saria,b; Harris, Tamara Bc; Rantanen, Tainad; Visser, Marjoleine; Kritchevsky, Stephen Bf; Ferrucci, Luigia

aLongitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

bDepartment of Health and Functional Capacity, National Public Health Institute, Turku, Finland

cGeriatrics Interdisciplinary Studies Section, Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

dThe Finnish Center For Interdisciplinary Gerontology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

eInstitute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, and EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

fDepartment of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

Correspondence to Luigi Ferrucci, MD, PhD, Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, 3001 S. Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225-1233, USA Tel: +1 410 350 3936; fax: +1 410 350 7304; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Purpose of review

Older obese persons with decreased muscle mass or strength are at special risk for adverse outcomes. We discuss potential pathways to muscle impairment in obese individuals and the consequences that joint obesity and muscle impairment may have on health and disability. Tantamount to this discussion is whether low muscle mass or, rather, muscle weakness should be used for the definition.

Recent findings

Excess energy intake, physical inactivity, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and changes in hormonal milieu may lead to the development of so-called ‘sarcopenic obesity’. It was originally believed that the culprit of age-related muscle weakness was a reduction in muscle mass, but it is now clear that changes in muscle composition and quality are predominant. We propose that the risk of adverse outcomes, such as functional limitation and mortality, is better estimated by considering jointly obesity and muscle strength rather than obesity and muscle mass and the term ‘sarcopenic obesity’ should be revisited.

Summary

Recognition of obese patients who have associated muscle problems is an essential goal for clinicians. Further research is needed to identify new target for prevention and cure of this important geriatric syndrome.