Abstract

Sarcopenic obesity is a medical condition which is defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and obesity. Sarcopenia refers to the presence of low muscle mass and either low muscular strength or low physical performance. When this is accompanied by a high fat mass the condition is known as sarcopenic obesity.

Symptoms

The symptoms are basically the same as that of sarcopenia and obesity. The individual may show a BMI that is appropriate and healthy to his or her age but will look fat in appearance.

Causes

The disease is caused due to a variety of reasons:

- It can be due to aging, wherein muscles become weak due to a lack of exercise, and the individual gains weight due to the same reason.

- In other cases, the cause is genetic, wherein the individual is born with a reduced ability to grow muscle mass.

Diagnosis

The problem of diagnosing a person with the condition is hard as there is no reference value for the appropriate lean mass. This is because healthy people tend to show variations in their composition due to their body types.

Treatment

An appropriate weight training and weight loss program can help to improve the patient's condition.

Etymology

The term is a mix of two different words- Sarcopenia and Obesity. "Sarcopenia" meaning loss of muscle and "Obesity" which is the increase in fat percentage.