The Association of Sarcopenic Obesity With Respiratory Function Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obes RevMay 8, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPulmonologyGeriatricsEndocrinology

Tasneem Baabbad, Magaly Aceves-Martins, Graham Horgan et al.

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis examined observational studies of adults with and without sarcopenic obesity and their respiratory function. Seven papers, representing 173,677 participants, were included; five contributed to the meta-analysis. Sarcopenic obesity was associated with lower forced vital capacity (FVC) (-0.77; 95% CI, -1.27, -0.26) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (-0.84; 95% CI, -1.26, -0.42). Both estimates had high heterogeneity (I 2 = 94%). The association with FEV1 was significant when obesity was defined by fat mass percentage, but not by BMI.

Key findings

  • Across five studies, sarcopenic obesity was associated with lower FVC (-0.77; 95% CI, -1.27, -0.26).
  • Sarcopenic obesity was associated with lower FEV1 (-0.84; 95% CI, -1.26, -0.42); heterogeneity was high (I 2 = 94%).
  • The FEV1 association was significant when obesity was assessed using fat mass % (-1.14; 95% CI, -1.21, -1.06), but not using BMI.

Why it matters

The findings link sarcopenic obesity with poorer spirometric measures, suggesting that respiratory impairment may be relevant when assessing adults with this condition. However, the high heterogeneity and observational evidence mean the pooled associations do not establish causation or predict an individual’s respiratory function.

What to keep in mind

The evidence came from observational studies, and the pooled FVC and FEV1 estimates had high heterogeneity (I 2 = 94%).

Source

PubMed · PMID 42101359

Published in Obes Rev. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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