Association between sarcopenic obesity, obesity, sarcopenia and quality of life in middle-aged and older Chinese: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is increasing globally, especially in aging populations. This study aims to analyze whether SO is more strongly associated with poorer quality of life (QoL) than obesity or sarcopenia alone. Methods: SO was defined as the coexistence of probable sarcopenia combined with obesity. Obesity was defined by body mass index and waist circumference, and probable sarcopenia was identified using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria 2019. QoL was assessed using the Short-Form 12 Health Survey Version 2. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between SO with QoL composite and domain scores. Results: Of 6,332 participants aged 50 years or older, 21.9% had SO, 10.6% had obesity only, and 38.7% had probable sarcopenia only. Compared to participants without obesity or sarcopenia, those with SO showed a significant negative association with physical health-related QoL (all P < 0.05), which remained significant when obesity or sarcopenia alone was used as the reference. The adjusted beta (95% CI) for the Physical Component Summary, General Health, Physical Functioning, Role Physical, and Bodily Pain for the SO group was -1.23 (-1.68, -0.79), -0.86 (-1.51, -0.21), -1.28 (-1.77, -0.80), -0.51 (-0.95, -0.07), and -0.77 (-1.37, -0.18), respectively. Non-significant association of SO with the Mental Component Summary, Vitality, Role Limitation due to Emotional Problem, and Mental Health was found (all P > 0.05). The results were consistent across different SO criteria and by sex (P for sex-interaction from 0.21 to 0.99). Conclusion: SO was associated with lower physical health-related QoL compared to obesity or sarcopenia alone, but non-significantly associated with mental health-related QoL.