Risk Factors for Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults: A Case-Control Study Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
- 1Teaching and Research Department, Hospital Clinica Nova de Monterrey, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
- 2Medical School, Vice-Rectory of Health Sciences, University of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
- 3Endocrinology Department, Hospital Clínica Nova de Monterrey, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Abstract
Objective: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is the coexistence of excess adiposity and low muscle mass or function, with underrecognized prevalence and poorly defined risk factors in adults.1 Our main purpose was to identify clinical, pharmacologic, and lifestyle factors associated with SO among Mexican adults using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Methods: This retrospective, observational, case-control study analyzed records from a tertiary-care center (2022–2024). Adults ≥30 years who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis were included. Sarcopenia was defined by appendicular lean mass /height2, based on the criteria proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2.2 Low muscle mass was defined as appendicular lean mass/height2 < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.5 kg/m2 for women, and obesity by BFP (≥25% men, ≥35% women). Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of SO.
Results: A total of 56 patients were classified as SO and 407 as non-SO controls. The overall mean (SD) age was 52.3 (10.2) years and males were the predominant sex [252 (54.4%)]. Female sex, lower physical activity, and lower body mass index were significantly associated with SO in univariate analyses. In the multivariable model (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.499), protective factors included metformin use (odds ratio [OR] = 0.181), P = .005) and increased physical activity (OR = 0.996, P = .020). Risk factors included proton pump inhibitor use (OR = 6.252, P = .003), elevated triglycerides (OR = 1.007, P = .015), and history of dyslipidemia (OR = 2.492, P = .044).
Conclusions: SO was significantly associated with modifiable factors. Despite neutral effects in prior studies, in this study metformin use and regular exercise were protective, whereas proton pump inhibitor use, elevated triglycerides, and dyslipidemia were risk factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies beyond body mass index, especially in adult populations.
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BibTeX
@article{canturodriguez2026risk,
title = {{Risk Factors for Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults: A Case-Control Study Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis}},
author = {Mariana Yocelin Cantu-Rodriguez and Dalia Gutierrez-González and Iván Francisco Fernández-Chau and Andrea Treviño-Ferrer and Andrea Vallejo and Ana Sofia Sánchez-García and Christian Reguera-Hernández and Sara Jaqueline Castruita-Von Chong and Carlos Alberto Vázquez-Martínez and Juan Enrique Santos-Macias and Miguel Ángel Sanz-Sanchez and Arnulfo González-Cantú and Maria Elena Romero-Ibarguengoitia},
journal = {AACE Endocrinology and Diabetes},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1016/j.aed.2026.06.009},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aed.2026.06.009},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Risk Factors for Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults: A Case-Control Study Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
AU - Mariana Yocelin Cantu-Rodriguez
AU - Dalia Gutierrez-González
AU - Iván Francisco Fernández-Chau
AU - Andrea Treviño-Ferrer
AU - Andrea Vallejo
AU - Ana Sofia Sánchez-García
AU - Christian Reguera-Hernández
AU - Sara Jaqueline Castruita-Von Chong
AU - Carlos Alberto Vázquez-Martínez
AU - Juan Enrique Santos-Macias
AU - Miguel Ángel Sanz-Sanchez
AU - Arnulfo González-Cantú
AU - Maria Elena Romero-Ibarguengoitia
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/26
JO - AACE Endocrinology and Diabetes
DO - 10.1016/j.aed.2026.06.009
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aed.2026.06.009
AB - Objective: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is the coexistence of excess adiposity and low muscle mass or function, with underrecognized prevalence and poorly defined risk factors in adults.1 Our main purpose was to identify clinical, pharmacologic, and lifestyle factors associated with SO among Mexican adults using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Methods: This retrospective, observational, case-control study analyzed records from a tertiary-care center (2022–2024). Adults ≥30 years who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis were included. Sarcopenia was defined by appendicular lean mass /height2, based on the criteria proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2.2 Low muscle mass was defined as appendicular lean mass/height2 < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.5 kg/m2 for women, and obesity by BFP (≥25% men, ≥35% women). Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of SO. Results: A total of 56 patients were classified as SO and 407 as non-SO controls. The overall mean (SD) age was 52.3 (10.2) years and males were the predominant sex [252 (54.4%)]. Female sex, lower physical activity, and lower body mass index were significantly associated with SO in univariate analyses. In the multivariable model (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.499), protective factors included metformin use (odds ratio [OR] = 0.181), P = .005) and increased physical activity (OR = 0.996, P = .020). Risk factors included proton pump inhibitor use (OR = 6.252, P = .003), elevated triglycerides (OR = 1.007, P = .015), and history of dyslipidemia (OR = 2.492, P = .044). Conclusions: SO was significantly associated with modifiable factors. Despite neutral effects in prior studies, in this study metformin use and regular exercise were protective, whereas proton pump inhibitor use, elevated triglycerides, and dyslipidemia were risk factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies beyond body mass index, especially in adult populations.
SN - 3050-9157
ER -