Adiposity to muscle ratio predicts incident physical limitation in a cohort of 3,153 older adults—an alternative measurement of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity

Abstract

Conventionally, sarcopenia is defined by muscle mass and physical performance. We hypothesized that the disability caused by sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was related to the amount of adiposity or body weight bearing on a unit of muscle mass, or the adiposity to muscle ratio. We therefore examined whether this ratio could predict physical limitation by secondary analysis of the data in our previous study. We recruited 3,153 communitydwelling adults aged >65 years and their body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Assessment of physical limitation was undertaken 4 years later. The relationship between baseline adiposity to muscle ratio and incident physical limitation was examined by logistic regression. In men, the adiposity to muscle ratios, namely total body fat to lower-limb muscle mass, total body fat to fatfree mass (FFM), and body weight to FFM, were predictive of physical limitation before and after adjustment for the covariates: age, Mini-mental Status Examination score, Geriatric Depression Scale score >8, and the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke (all p values<0.001), when the total body fat to lower-limb muscle mass ratio was greater than or equal to 0.75. In women, throughout the entire range of that ratio, all three adiposity to muscle ratios were associated with physical limitation 4 years later both before and after adjustment for the same set of covariates (all p values<0.05). Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity as measured by the body weight or adiposity bearing on a unit of muscle mass (the adiposity to muscle ratio) could predict incident or worsening physical limitation in older women across the entire range of the total body fat to lower-limb muscle mass ratio; and in older men when this ratio was equal to or greater than 0.75.

Body Composition Outcomes of a Qigong Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Aging Adults

“…In other words, the LBM/FM ratio rather than the absolute FM and LBM of a person is the most relevant parameter to consider when the mechanical or physiological consequences of PAs are investigated. Several studies have indicated that the beneficial effects of PA are most likely mediated through an increase in LBM relative to FM (Auyeung, Lee, Leung, Kwok, & Woo, 2013;Haight et al, 2005;Tager, Haight, Sternfeld, Yu, & van Der Laan, 2004). These results provide further support for the hypothesis that regular qigong practice can increase the LBM/FM ratio.…”

Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia and physical performance

“…In addition, older adults usually have become shorter, which could lead to an overestimation of muscle mass with the formula ALM/height squared. Therefore, it is important to take muscle mass relative to body mass or fat mass into account when defining sarcopenia (Delmonico et al 2007;Newman et al 2003;Auyeung et al 2012). In this study, muscle strength, in particular knee extension torque, was associated with the TUG test and walking speed in old participants, but not with physical fitness.…”

Fat-to-Lean Mass Ratio Can Predict Cardiac Events and All-Cause Mortality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

“…present study, we used F/L mass ratios and found them to be associated with nutritional and inflammatory status, and to be acceptable new predictors of long-term outcomes in patients undergoing HD. The fat-to-muscle ratio was recently proposed to differentiate among obesity phenotypes, and this ratio has been associated with physical performance in elderly individuals [24,25]. This ratio has also been associated with metabolic dysfunction in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome [21].…”