Sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass and strength or physical function, naturally occurs in aging. In sarcopenic obesity, growth of muscle mass and increments in strength do not parallel weight gain, and places older adults at increased risk of falls, fractures, physical disability, frailty, and mortality from too low muscle strength relative to body size. The goal of the study is to assess body composition and physical function in older adults with obesity.
This is a cross-sectional study in 40 adults aged 60 to 80 years with obesity. Body composition, physical function, and insulin resistance will be measured. Subjects who satisfy the eligibility criteria and sign the informed consent will be enrolled. Subjects will complete an assessment of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and tests of physical performance. Blood will be drawn for measurement of fasting glucose and insulin.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
Assessment of body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
A test of physical functioning
A test of hand grip strength using a hand dynamometer.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Fat Mass
Measurement of fat mass
Time frame: One day
Fat-free Mass
Measurement of fat-free mass
Time frame: One day
Modified Physical Performance Test
Test for assessing physical performance. The scale ranges from 0 to 36 and higher score indicates a better outcome
Time frame: One day
Hand Grip Strength
Assessment of grip strength using a hand dynamometer
Time frame: One day
6-minute Walk Test
Test of walking capacity assessed as distance covered in 6 minutes
Time frame: One day
Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)
Assessment of insulin resistance from blood glucose and insulin. HOMA-IR was calculated as: fasting insulin (μU/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)\]/22.5 Higher scores indicate greater insulin resistance and a worse outcome. There is no theoretical minimum and/or maximum value for HOMA-IR. Studies have suggested a variety of values that vary based on factors such as gender and age. For example, a large epidemiologic study found that HOMA-IR score of 1.85 in women and 2.17 in men indicated insulin resistance. In another study, the HOMA-IR cut point was found to be 2.37 and 2.38 in 70-year old men and women respectively (see references).
Time frame: One day
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Self-paced test of walking capacity.
Blood will be drawn for measurement of glucose and insulin.