Author Identifier
Marc Sim: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5166-0605
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
PubMed ID
39552359
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
72550
Abstract
It is estimated that more than one-tenth of adults aged ≥60 years are now classified as having sarcopenic obesity (SO), a clinical condition characterized by the concurrent presence of sarcopenia (low muscle mass and weakness) and obesity (excessive fat mass). Independently, sarcopenia and obesity are associated with a high risk of numerous adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neurological conditions (e.g. dementia), but SO may confer a greater risk, exceeding either condition alone. This imposes a substantial burden on individuals, healthcare systems and society. In recent years, an increasing number of observational studies have explored the association between SO and the risk of CVDs; however, results are mixed. Moreover, the pathophysiology of SO is governed by a complex interplay of multiple mechanisms including insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal shifts and alteration of energy balance, which may also play a role in the occurrence of various CVDs. Yet, the exact mechanisms underlying the pathological connection between these two complex conditions remain largely unexplored. The aim of this review is to examine the association between SO and CVDs. Specifically, we seek to: (1) discuss the definition, epidemiology and diagnosis of SO; (2) reconcile previously inconsistent findings by synthesizing evidence from longitudinal studies on the epidemiological link between SO and CVDs; and (3) discuss critical mechanisms that may elucidate the complex and potentially bidirectional relationships between SO and CVDs.
DOI
10.1017/S0029665124007559
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Guan, Z., Stephan, B. C., Donini, L. M., Prado, C. M., Sim, M., & Siervo, M. (2024). Exploring the association between sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular risk: A summary of findings from longitudinal studies and potential mechanisms. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665124007559