Sarcopenic obesity

1. Sarcopenic obesity was not clearly linked with mortality in humans after accounting for frailty status.

   “No category was independently associated with mortality after considering frailty status.”

   Humansafter accounting for frailty statusmedian follow-up 6.29 years

   Role of sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity in frailty, frailty transitions and death

   BMC geriatrics·Jun 3, 2026

2. Sarcopenic obesity was not clearly linked with mortality in humans (compared with non-sarcopenic obesity, aged > 75 years) (aHR 1.55 (0.32-7.46), p = 0.59).

   “but not in those aged > 75 years (aHR 1.55 [0.32-7.46], p = 0.59)”

   Humanscompared with non-sarcopenic obesity, aged > 75 years

   Age-Stratified Associations of Sarcopenic Obesity With Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes

   Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle·Jan 28, 2026

3. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with higher mortality in humans (compared with neither sarcopenia nor obesity, adjusted models) (aHR 2.89 (1.01-8.30), p = 0.048).

   “sarcopenic obesity were 0.53 (0.18-1.57) (p = 0.25), 2.36 (0.99-5.6) (p = 0.053) and 2.89 (1.01-8.30) (p = 0.048)”

   Humanscompared with neither sarcopenia nor obesity, adjusted modelsmedian follow-up 46 monthsn = 799

   Age-Stratified Associations of Sarcopenic Obesity With Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes

   Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle·Jan 28, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with lower prefrailty reversal in humans (frailty measured by Frailty Phenotype) (FP IRR 0.63 (0.41, 0.98)).

   “reduced the probability of reversing prefrailty status [FP IRR (95% CI): 0.63 (0.41, 0.98)]”

   Humansfrailty measured by Frailty Phenotypemedian follow-up 2.99 years

   Role of sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity in frailty, frailty transitions and death

   BMC geriatrics·Jun 3, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with higher frailty progression in humans (frailty measured by Frailty Trait Scale-5) (FTS5 IRR 6.56 (3.68, 11.68); FP IRR 1.67 (1.05, 2.68) in robust and 3.35 (1.15, 9.71) in prefrail).

   “S-O was significantly associated with increased rates of frailty progression according to the FP”

   Humansfrailty measured by Frailty Trait Scale-5median follow-up 2.99 years

   Role of sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity in frailty, frailty transitions and death

   BMC geriatrics·Jun 3, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with lower physical function in humans (compared with sarcopenia or obesity alone).

   “SO has a synergistic effect on physical function deterioration in the elderly compared with sarcopenia or obesity alone.”

   Humanscompared with sarcopenia or obesity alone

   Effect of sarcopenic obesity on deterioration of physical function in the elderly

   Archives of gerontology and geriatrics·Apr 8, 2020

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with lower total SPPB score in humans (males; SO group compared with normal or pure obesity groups) (p < 0.05).

   “In males, grip strength and the total SPPB score in the SO group were significantly lower than those in the normal or pure obesity groups (p < 0.05).”

   Humansmales; SO group compared with normal or pure obesity groupsmalesn = 1,091

   Effect of sarcopenic obesity on deterioration of physical function in the elderly

   Archives of gerontology and geriatrics·Apr 8, 2020

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with worse immediate memory index score in humans (fully adjusted models; type 2 diabetes) (β -2.71 (95% CI -5.06 to -0.36)).

   “SO was significantly associated with reduced index scores for immediate memory and language in fully adjusted models with corresponding βs -2.71 (95%CI -5.06 to -0.36; p = 0.024)”

   Humansfully adjusted models; type 2 diabetesn = 1,235

   The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity and its association with cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes in Singapore

   Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Nov 4, 2019

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with worse RBANS total score in humans (β -1.44 (95% CI -2.82 to -0.06)).

   “SO (Group 3) was significantly associated with reduced RBANS total score with β-1.44 (95%CI -2.82 to -0.06; p = 0.041)”

   Humansmultivariable linear regression adjusted for demographics, education, depressive symptom(s) and clinical covariates; type 2 diabetesn = 1,235

   The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity and its association with cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes in Singapore

   Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Nov 4, 2019

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with lower percent-predicted peak VO2 in humans across non-SP non-obese, SP, obese and SP/obese groups (gradual decrease across groups; no effect size reported).

   “a gradual decrease in percent-predicted peak VO2 was observed across the groups”

   Humansacross non-SP non-obese, SP, obese and SP/obese groups

   Effects of sarcopenia, body mass indices, and sarcopenic obesity on diastolic function and exercise capacity in Koreans

   Metabolism: clinical and experimental·May 21, 2019

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with worse muscle function in humans (compared with the normal group, after adjusting for age and sex).

   “sarcopenic obesity showed significant associations with lower grip strength and quadriceps strength, slower gait speed, and shorter 6-min walking distance compared to the normal group (p<0.05)”

   Humanscompared with the normal group, after adjusting for age and sex

   Prognostic value of sarcopenic obesity estimated by computed tomography in patients with cardiovascular disease and undergoing surgery

   Journal of cardiology·Mar 28, 2019

1. Sarcopenic obesity was not clearly linked with knee osteoarthritis in humans (body composition-based sarcopenic obesity, incident radiographic knee OA over 60 months) (RR 1.74 (95% CI 0.68-4.46)).

   “but not among sarcopenic obese men (RR 1.74 [95% CI 0.68-4.46])”

   Humansbody composition-based sarcopenic obesity, incident radiographic knee OA over 60 months60 monthsmales

   Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis With Obesity, Sarcopenic Obesity, and Sarcopenia

   Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)·Aug 15, 2018

More on Knee osteoarthritis

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (ESPEN-EASO criteria) (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.45–1.91).

   “Among men, ESPEN-EASO-defined SO showed the strongest associations with incident CVD and all-cause mortality (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.43–1.81; and HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.45–1.91, respectively).”

   HumansESPEN-EASO criteriamales

   Sarcopenic obesity definitions and their association with cardiovascular disease and mortality

   BMC geriatrics·Apr 10, 2026

2. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (defined as low calf circumference, low handgrip strength and high WC_BMI) (HR 3.07, 95% CI 1.846–5.108).

   “the risk of death in the SO group was higher than that in the normal group (HR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.846–5.108)”

   Humansdefined as low calf circumference, low handgrip strength and high WC_BMIfollow-up to April 2024malesn = 491

   Effectiveness of using simple measures as screening indicators for sarcopenic obesity to predict mortality risk in older male patients: a prospective study

   BMC geriatrics·Feb 27, 2026

3. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (HR 3.25 (95% CI 1.2-8.9)).

   “The 75-year-old women with SO had a higher risk (HR 3.25, 95% confidence interval (1.2-8.9)) of dying within 10 years compared to those with a "normal" phenotype.”

   Humans10 yearsfemales

   Sarcopenic obesity and associations with mortality in older women and men - a prospective observational study

   BMC geriatrics·Jun 9, 2020

4. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (independent of other predictors in multivariable analysis) (HR 5.23, p < 0.001).

   “SO (HR 5.23, p < 0.001)”

   Humansindependent of other predictors in multivariable analysis2 years

   The relationship between all-cause mortality sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among hospitalized older people

   Aging clinical and experimental research·Jul 26, 2019

5. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (multivariate Cox regression adjusted for EuroSCORE) (HR 3.04 (95% CI 1.25-7.40)).

   “sarcopenic obesity was associated with increased risk of mortality after adjusting for EuroSCORE (hazard ratio, 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-7.40)”

   Humansmultivariate Cox regression adjusted for EuroSCORE

   Prognostic value of sarcopenic obesity estimated by computed tomography in patients with cardiovascular disease and undergoing surgery

   Journal of cardiology·Mar 28, 2019

6. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans (body composition phenotype model) (time ratio 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.97) for survival time).

   “Participants age 50-70 years with SO had a significantly decreased survival time, according to the body composition phenotype model (TR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-0.97)”

   Humansbody composition phenotype model

   Sarcopenic obesity and overall mortality: Results from the application of novel models of body composition phenotypes to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004

   Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Feb 15, 2018

7. Sarcopenic obesity raises the risk of mortality in humans (pooled HR 1.21 (95% CI 1.10-1.32)).

   “SO was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality among adult people”

   Review

   Association of sarcopenic obesity with the risk of all-cause mortality among adults over a broad range of different settings: a updated meta-analysis

   BMC geriatrics·Jul 3, 2019

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of all-cause dementia in humans (compared with the non-sarcopenic, non-obesity group) (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18–1.52).

   “SO (HR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18-1.52) and sarcopenia (HR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.14-1.48) were associated with higher all-cause dementia risk”

   Humanscompared with the non-sarcopenic, non-obesity group

   Sarcopenic obesity and dementia risk: Primary associations and landmark analyses of muscle strength and body composition trajectories

   Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·May 25, 2026

2. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of all-cause dementia in humans (compared with obesity only, sarcopenia only or neither) (HR 1.69 (1.41-2.03)).

   “Individuals with sarcopenic obesity (hazard ratios = 1.69, 1.41-2.03) had the highest risk of all-cause dementia than those with obesity only, sarcopenia only or neither.”

   Humanscompared with obesity only, sarcopenia only or neithermedian follow-up 13.69 years

   Association of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity with incident dementia, cognitive functions, and brain structure: findings from the UK Biobank Study

   The journal of nutrition, health & aging·May 19, 2026

More on All-cause dementia

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of falls in humans (OR 10.16 (95% CI 2.71–38.13)).

   “The OR to fall in participants with SO was 10·16 (95 % CI 2·71, 38·13)”

   Humanssarcopenic obesity defined by waist circumference, after adjustment for confounding covariates

   Associations between different measurements of sarcopenic obesity and health outcomes among non-frail community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan

   The British journal of nutrition·Apr 14, 2021

2. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of falls in humans (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.17–1.56).

   “Sarcopenic obesity was associated with greater risk of falls in women aged 50 to 64 (relative risk (RR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.17-1.56)”

   Humans7 yearsfemales

   Association Between Sarcopenic Obesity and Falls in a Multiethnic Cohort of Postmenopausal Women

   Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Oct 30, 2018

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in humans (HR 3.54 [95% CI 3.34-3.74]).

   “SO conferred the highest risk (HR 3.54 [95% CI 3.34-3.74]), exceeding obesity alone and sarcopenia alone.”

   Humans

   Sarcopenic Obesity and Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study and Landmark Analysis From the UK Biobank

   Diabetes care·Jul 13, 2026

More on Type 2 diabetes

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment in humans (versus normal group (reference)) (OR 3.056 vs normal group; PR 1.499 (modified Poisson)).

   “being in the SO group (OR = 3.056) or S group (OR = 2.397) was identified as an independent risk factor for MCI”

   Humansversus normal group (reference)

   Association between sarcopenic obesity and mild cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

   Frontiers in nutrition·Jun 16, 2026

More on Mild cognitive impairment

1. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with frailty in humans (cross-sectional analysis).

   “Cross-sectionally, NS-O, S-NO and SO were significantly associated with frailty across FP and FTS5, compared with the NS-NO category.”

   Humanscross-sectional analysis

   Role of sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity in frailty, frailty transitions and death

   BMC geriatrics·Jun 3, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with brain structure in humans.

   “those with sarcopenic obesity was associated with unfavorable cognitive functions, and worse brain structure.”

   Humansbrain

   Association of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity with incident dementia, cognitive functions, and brain structure: findings from the UK Biobank Study

   The journal of nutrition, health & aging·May 19, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with cognitive function in humans.

   “those with sarcopenic obesity was associated with unfavorable cognitive functions, and worse brain structure.”

   Humans

   Association of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity with incident dementia, cognitive functions, and brain structure: findings from the UK Biobank Study

   The journal of nutrition, health & aging·May 19, 2026

1. Sarcopenic obesity is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in humans (ESPEN-EASO criteria) (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.43–1.81).

   “Among men, ESPEN-EASO-defined SO showed the strongest associations with incident CVD and all-cause mortality (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.43–1.81; and HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.45–1.91, respectively).”

   HumansESPEN-EASO criteriamales

   Sarcopenic obesity definitions and their association with cardiovascular disease and mortality

   BMC geriatrics·Apr 10, 2026

More on Cardiovascular disease

1. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in humans after adjusting for confounders, cross-sectional design (OR 2.367, 95% CI 1.317-4.254, P = 0.004).

   “Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between sarcopenic obesity and non-obese NAFLD after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio = 2.367, 95% confidence interval = 1.317-4.254, P = 0.004).”

   Humansafter adjusting for confounders, cross-sectional designn = 563

   A significant association of non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with sarcopenic obesity

   Clinical nutrition ESPEN·Jun 20, 2020

More on Non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease