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Review
. 2024 Sep 1;27(5):402-409.
doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000001062. Epub 2024 Jul 18.

Detecting sarcopenia in obesity: emerging new approaches

Gianluca Gortan Cappellari  1   2 , Michela Zanetti  1   2 , Lorenzo Maria Donini  3 , Rocco Barazzoni  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Detecting sarcopenia in obesity: emerging new approaches

Gianluca Gortan Cappellari et al. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Sarcopenic obesity is a likely common, but certainly underestimated obesity phenotype, with an important negative clinical impact. Its definition and diagnosis have however remained elusive until recently.

Recent findings: Substantial progress has been recently made in sarcopenic obesity diagnostic tools, with the first international consensus proposed by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). Very encouraging results emerge from initial implementation of the ESPEN-EASO algorithm. In addition, even more recent progress in global consensus on sarcopenia conceptual definition is likely to further enhance consistency in sarcopenic obesity identification. The latter Global Leadership Initiative on Sarcopenia (GLIS) initiative also adopted a new definition of muscle specific strength. Its inclusion in sarcopenia diagnostic constructs opens the possibility of its potential evaluation in sarcopenic obesity, also considering the emerging positive impact of obesity treatment and fat loss on muscle functional parameters.

Summary: New consensus tools for sarcopenic obesity diagnosis are likely to improve awareness, understanding, identification and treatment of this under-recognized obesity phenotype.

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Conflict of interest statement

Rocco Barazzoni has participated to Advisory Boards for Nutricia Reasearch, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Eli-Lilly and Boehringer. The other authors have no conflicts to declare.

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
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FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Diagnostic procedure for the assessment of sarcopenic obesity according to the ESPEN-EASO algorithm. ALM/W, appendicular lean mass adjusted to body weight; BIA, bioelectrical Impedance analysis; DXA, dual x-ray absorptiometry; FM, fat mass; HGS, handgrip strength; SARC-F, strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs and falls SMM/W, total skeletal muscle mass adjusted by weight; SO, sarcopenic obesity; WC, waist circumference. Previously published by Donini et al.[5▪].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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    2. A relevant initiative with potential global reach providing the largest to-date consensus proposal for definition and diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity.

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