Sarcopenia, a condition where individuals lose muscle mass and strength, is associated with poorer health and function. While aging is a well-known cause of sarcopenia, obesity is increasingly recognised as a significant factor. When sarcopenia and obesity occur together, it can result in more severe health problems. This is especially concerning because weight loss, the treatment for obesity, can further reduce muscle mass and potentially worsen the situation. Despite this, it is unknown how common sarcopenia is among people with obesity, as only a few studies have looked into this using the most accurate diagnostic criteria, showing a prevalence of 4-13%.
In this study, the investigators will examine the prevalence of sarcopenia in 300 adults with obesity at a specialized Obesity Center. The investigators expect to find a higher prevalence among Asian participants due to differences in body composition compared to other ethnic groups.
The investigators will also explore various factors that might be linked to sarcopenia in these individuals, such as age, gender, race, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, medical conditions, medications, physical activity, aerobic capacity, and dietary protein intake. Some of these factors could help in identifying those at risk of sarcopenia and could be targeted for future treatments.
Currently, screening for sarcopenia is not a standard part of routine obesity care as it requires specialized equipment and trained staff. By determining how common sarcopenia is in people with obesity, this study will help healthcare providers better understand the problem and allocate resources effectively. Identifying factors associated with sarcopenia will also help streamline diagnosis and monitoring for those at risk.
body mass index ≥ 27.5kg/m2
able to provide informed consent.
unable to undergo the physical function tests (handgrip strength testing and chair-stand tests)
pregnant women
history of bariatric procedures or surgeries
on medications for treatment of obesity (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, phentermine, naltrexone-bupropion, orlistat)
Adults with obesity seeking treatment at Singapore General Hospital Obesity Centre
Cohort
Cross-sectional
Not listed
Sarcopenia
Skeletal muscle mass Skeletal muscle mass measurement will be obtained via bioimpedance analysis using the TANITA MC 780 MA Multi-frequency Segmental Body Composition Analyser. Low skeletal muscle mass will be defined by percentage of skeletal muscle mass divided by body weight of ≤ 37% in males and ≤ 27.6% in females.
Handgrip strength
Handgrip strength will be measured using the Jamar handgrip dynamometer. Two trials will be performed for each hand, and the maximum strength will be used for diagnosis.
5-time chair stand test
Time taken (seconds) to perform 5 sit-to-stand repetitions
30-second sit-to-stand test
Number of sit-to-stand repetitions performed in 30 seconds
Aerobic capacity
The study will use a validated non-exercise prediction model comprising a physical activity questionnaire to estimate peak oxygen uptake, VO2 milliliter/kg/minute (ml/kg/min). This simple physical activity questionnaire consists of age, gender, height, weight, estimated maximum heart rate, frequency of exercise, length of time for each workout, intensity of each workout, waistline diameter, and resting heart rate. It will be self-administered or administered with the assistance of the clinical research coordinator if required.
Physical activity questionnaire
Number of minutes per week spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity will be recorded
Dietary questionnaire
72 hour dietary recall questionnaire will be administered and dietary macronutrient composition will be calculated
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