Prevalence of Sarcopenic Obesity and Factors Inﬂuencing Body Composition in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury in Japan

Nutrients, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020473 · Published: January 16, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how common sarcopenic obesity is in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Japan. Sarcopenic obesity is when someone has both muscle loss (sarcopenia) and obesity. Researchers analyzed data from 97 adults with SCI who had body composition scans. They looked at things like muscle mass and body fat percentage to see how many people had sarcopenia, obesity, or both. The study found that sarcopenic obesity is quite common in this population, and factors like being female, having a more severe injury, and not being able to walk were linked to these conditions.

Study Duration

2016 to August 2022

Participants

97 adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) aged ≥20 years in Japan

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity were prevalent in 76%, 85%, and 64% of patients, respectively.
2
Female sex, tetraplegia, motor-complete injury, and inability to walk were independently associated with lower ASM.
3
Female sex was independently associated with higher %BF.

Research Summary

This study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity and factors influencing body composition in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Japan. The study found that sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity were prevalent among patients with SCI in Japan. Female sex, tetraplegia, motor-complete injury, and inability to walk were risk factors for sarcopenia, whereas female sex was a risk factor for obesity in persons with SCI.

Practical Implications

Routine Monitoring

Regularly assess body composition, especially in those with multiple risk factors, to identify individuals in need of preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Targeted Interventions

Develop specific interventions for individuals with SCI who are at risk of or have developed sarcopenia and/or obesity, considering factors like sex, injury severity, and mobility.

Exercise and Caloric Management

Implement exercise programs and caloric restriction strategies tailored to the energy needs of individuals with SCI, particularly those with tetraplegia.

Study Limitations

1
Retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted at a single local hospital in Japan, which might limit the generalizability of our results.
2
There was no healthy control group as a reference to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity; thus, only indirect comparisons were possible.
3
Study identified sarcopenia using lean mass indices without muscle function assessment (strength or performance).

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