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. 2024 Oct:63:919-928.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.08.017. Epub 2024 Aug 23.

Application of a new definition of sarcopenic obesity in middle-aged and older adults and association with cognitive function: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Uraiporn Booranasuksakul  1 , Kostas Tsintzas  2 , Ian Macdonald  2 , Blossom Cm Stephan  3 , Mario Siervo  4
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Free article

Application of a new definition of sarcopenic obesity in middle-aged and older adults and association with cognitive function: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Uraiporn Booranasuksakul et al. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Background & aims: The role of sarcopenic obesity (SO) in impaired cognitive function has been investigated in several observational studies, but results have been mixed. This study applied the proposed European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN)-European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) definition of SO to a representative population aged ≥50 years to identify the association between SO and cognitive function.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 waves were used. At the screening phase, body mass index or waist circumference were used to evaluate obesity; sarcopenia was identified using the SARC-F questionnaire. At the diagnostic phase I and II, sarcopenia was assessed using knee extensor isometric strength and appendicular lean mass, and fat mass percent was used to assess obesity. Cognitive function in older participants (60-85 years) was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. A self-reported memory question was used in middle-aged individuals (50-59 years).

Results: The sample included 2356 participants (men, 44.7%). The prevalence of SO was 32.3%, 21.2% and 15.0% at the screening, diagnosis I, and diagnosis II, respectively. Significant associations between SO and cognitive impairment were observed in individuals aged 60-85 at diagnosis I (OR: 2.3, 95%CI 1.4-3.8, P = 0.007) and diagnosis II (OR: 2.7, 95%CI 1.5-4.9, P = 0.004).

Conclusion: The new ESPEN-EASO definition of SO identified a high prevalence of SO cases. A significant association between SO and poor cognitive function in older individuals was observed.

Keywords: Cognition; Definition; Diagnosis; Prevalence; Sarcopenic obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest I.A.M. was a member of the UK Government Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, the Mars Scientific Advisory Council, the Mars Europe Nutrition Advisory Board, the Nestle Research Scientific Advisory Board, the Novozymes Scientific Advisory Board, and was a Scientific Adviser to the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition until 2020. On 1 August 2020 he became Professor Emeritus at the University of Nottingham and took up the post of Scientific Director of the Nestle Institute of Health Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, which terminated in August 2022. Other authors No conflicts to declare.

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