CONDITIONS

Sarcopenic Obesity

The dangerous combination of excess body fat with low muscle mass and strength, raising the risk of frailty and metabolic disease.

Sarcopenic obesity is a condition where a person has excess body fat combined with low muscle mass and strength. It is especially common in older adults and people who lose weight rapidly without adequate protein and exercise. The combination is more dangerous than either condition alone, as it increases the risk of falls, frailty, and metabolic disease.

Sarcopenic obesity is defined by the co-occurrence of excess adiposity (BMI ≥30 kg/m² or elevated waist circumference) and reduced skeletal muscle mass with impaired function (low grip strength or gait speed). The pathophysiology involves chronic low-grade inflammation from excess adipose tissue, insulin resistance, reduced physical activity, and age-related anabolic resistance — creating a vicious cycle where fat gain and muscle loss reinforce each other.

Rapid weight loss without muscle preservation can worsen sarcopenic obesity. At NuLifeCare Singapore, our medical weight management programme emphasises adequate protein intake, resistance training, and body composition monitoring to ensure fat loss — not muscle loss — and to protect long-term metabolic health and functional independence.

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Medical Disclaimer

This library is for general education and does not replace individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a doctor for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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