The Impact of Sarcopenic Obesity on Frailty, Cognition, and Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The coexistence of both sarcopenia and obesitytermed sarcopenic obesity (SO) -has been found to act synergistically to exacerbate metabolic impairment, disability, cardiovascular disease and mortality more so than either condition alone 5 , making SO an emerging critical public health issue globally 6 .However, few studies have compared the associations of sarcopenia, obesity and SO, or investigated associations of Abstract Objectives: The impact of sarcopenic obesity (SO) on frailty, cognition, and function compared to sarcopenia and obesity alone remains unclear.This study examined SO's effects on these domains in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: We assessed 202 older adults (mean age 80.4 ±7.3 years) attending a community frailty screening clinic.Obesity was defined as BMI≥25, and sarcopenia was assessed using Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines.SO was defined as the presence of both conditions.Assessments included the Clinical Frailty Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Singapore-modified Mini-Mental State Examination, and mobility aid use.Results: Multivariate regression showed SO was significantly associated with frailty (OR 4.71), impaired function (ß: -16.53), and mobility limitations (OR 5.73).SO was also linked to cognitive impairment (OR 3.56).Sarcopenia alone was associated with frailty (OR 3.39), impaired function (ß -11.46), and mobility limitations (OR 3.32), but not cognition.Obesity alone showed no associations.SO posed higher risks for frailty, cognitive impairment, functional decline, and mobility limitations compared to sarcopenia or obesity alone.Conclusions: SO is associated with greater risks of frailty, cognitive impairment, functional decline, and mobility limitations than sarcopenia or obesity alone.
DOI: 10.22540/jfsf-10-150
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $161
OpenAlex ID: W4413891954