The relationship between early adulthood obesity and sarcopenic obesity among middle-aged and older adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the relationship between early adulthood obesity and sarcopenic obesity (SO) among middle-aged and older adults in the United States.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted involving adults aged 50-69 years in the United States. Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the periods 1999-2006 and 2011-2018. Height and weight at the age of 25 years were measured. Body mass index (BMI) at the age of 25 years (BMI) was calculated. Healthy weight, overweight, and obesity at the age of 25 years (healthy weight, overweight, and obesity) were defined as BMI 18.5 to less than 25 kg/m, 25 to less than 30 kg/m, and 30 kg/m or greater, respectively. SO was determined by dividing appendicular skeletal muscle mass by weight (ASM/Wt) and percentage of fat mass [FM (%)].

RESULTS

The prevalence of SO was 5.4, 8.5, and 16.5% in healthy weight, overweight, and obesity groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the prevalence of SO in the overweight group and the obesity group was 1.161 times (95%CI: 0.898-1.500,  = 0.254) and 2.286 times (95%CI: 1.651-3.165,  < 0.001) higher, respectively, compared to the healthy weight group.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that obesity in early adulthood is closely associated with an increased risk of sarcopenic obesity among middle-aged and older adults.