Sarcopenic obesity
Sarcopenic obesity is a medical condition which is actually a mix of two different ailments. It is a situation wherein a person shows an increase in fat mass and a reduction in lean mass.
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.
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.
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.
Problem of 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.
Cure
An appropriate weight training and weight loss program can help to improve the patient's condition.
See also
References
- Sharma, Arya M. (2008-06-30). "Sarcopenic Obesity and Cancer". Dr. Sharma's Obesity Notes.
- "Importance of sarcopenic obesity for mobility limitations, morbidity and mortality in seniors". Gerontology Research Centre, University of Jyväskylä. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07.
- Zamboni, Mauro; Mazzali, Gloria; Fantin, Francesco; Rossi, Andrea; Di Francesco, Vincenzo (2008). "Sarcopenic obesity: A new category of obesity in the elderly". Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 18 (5): 388–95. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2007.10.002. PMID 18395429.
- "Sarcopenic Obesity: Now here's something (not) to look forward to..." (PDF). Professor Trim's Waistline. Australian Fitness Network. Summer 2005.