Does Abdominal Obesity Accelerate Muscle Strength Decline in Older Adults? Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract

Background: Cross-sectional evidence has shown an association between abdominal obesity and lower muscle strength in older adults. However, no longitudinal findings have confirmed this association. In addition, the impact of abdominal fat on the reduction in muscle strength is not yet fully understood.

Methods: We investigated the longitudinal associations between abdominal obesity and handgrip strength in 5,181 older adults from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing over 8 years of follow-up. Muscular strength was measured using a manual dynamometer. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference >102 cm for men and >88 cm for women. Generalized linear mixed models were adjusted by measures of socioeconomic status, health conditions, lifestyle, cognition, depressive symptoms, biomarkers, and disability.

Results: At baseline, the mean age of participants was 65.8 years and their mean waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were 95 cm and 27.7 kg/m2, respectively. Fully adjusted models showed that abdominal obese men and women had stronger muscle strength at baseline. The decline over time in muscle strength was accelerated in abdominal obese men (-0.12 kg/year, 95% confidence interval: -0.24 to -0.01) compared with nonabdominal obese. This association was not found in women. Comparative analyses showed that overweight men according to their BMI were not at greater risk of muscle strength decline. However, these men were at risk based on their waist circumference.

Conclusions: Abdominal obesity is associated with accelerated muscle strength decline in men.

Keywords: Grip strength; Longitudinal; Trajectories; Waist circumference.

Figure 1.

Trajectories of handgrip strength according to abdominal obesity status over time (2004–2005 to 2012–2013). Predictions for individuals aged 50 years; with conjugal life; in highest wealth quintile; with higher level of education; nonsmokers; with little or no alcohol intake; practicing vigorous physical exercise; stable weight; without arthritis, cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, anemia, or falls; with CES-D < 4; mean memory score = 20; without functional limitations; and without abnormal concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and ferritin. Abbreviation: CES-D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.