Sarcopenic obesity and health outcomes in patients seeking weight loss treatment

Jingjie Xiao; Angelina Cain; Sarah A Purcell; Michael J Ormsbee; Robert J Contreras; Jeong-Su Kim; Robert Thornberry; Dawn Springs; M Cristina Gonzalez; Carla M Prado

doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2017.12.004

Sarcopenic obesity and health outcomes in patients seeking weight loss treatment

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2018 Feb:23:79-83. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
² Tallhassee Memorial Bariatric Center, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
³ Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Department of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
⁵ Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
⁶ Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
⁷ Post Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
⁸ Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA. Electronic address: carla.prado@ualberta.ca.

PMID: 29460818
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2017.12.004

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) and its association with health outcomes in patients seeking weight loss treatment from a bariatric center.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients [≥18 years old, body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m²] from the Tallahassee Memorial Bariatric Center and with baseline body composition assessment by bioelectrical impedance analysis were included. Fat mass index (FMI = fat mass/height²) and fat-free mass index (FFMI = fat free mass/height²) were calculated. SO was defined by a FMI/FFMI ratio greater than the 95 percentile of sex, BMI and ethnicity specific population-representative references. Medical records were reviewed for biochemical and comorbidity measures.

Results: One hundred and forty-four patients (∼69% females, mean age 55.6 years, mean BMI 46.6 kg/m²) were included. Patients' FMI/FFMI ratios ranged from 0.35 to 1.60 kg/m² across body weight spectrum, with 51% having SO. Blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL or LDL were not different between patients with and without SO. However, the prevalence of high cholesterol, asthma, alcoholism and hernia were higher in patients with SO. SO was the strongest univariate predictor of high cholesterol (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.07-4.04) and asthma (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.12-6.83).

Conclusion: SO was prevalent and associated with adverse health outcomes, beyond that captured by anthropometric measures in the present study.

Keywords: BIA; Bariatric surgery; Body composition; Sarcopenic obesity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Blood Glucose / metabolism
Blood Pressure
Body Composition
Body Mass Index
Cholesterol / blood
Comorbidity
Electric Impedance
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity / epidemiology*
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Sarcopenia / epidemiology*
Triglycerides / blood
Weight Loss*
Weight Reduction Programs*

Substances

Blood Glucose
Triglycerides
Cholesterol