Scientists looked at studies about sarcopenic obesity - a condition where people are overweight but also losing muscle mass and strength. They found only four small studies that tested exercise programs for this problem. All the studies used resistance training (like lifting weights), and one also included nutrition advice. While the results suggest exercise might help, the researchers say we need much better studies with more people to know what really works best for this growing health concern.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether exercise and nutrition programs can help people who have sarcopenic obesity - being overweight while also losing muscle mass and strength
  • Who participated: 246 people total across four small studies, with three studies including only women
  • Key finding: All studies used resistance exercise training, and early results suggest it may help, but the research quality was too low to draw strong conclusions
  • What it means for you: If you’re dealing with both weight gain and muscle loss, resistance training might help, but talk to your doctor since more research is needed

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through medical databases to find all the studies that tested exercise or nutrition programs for sarcopenic obesity. They looked through nine different databases and found thousands of studies, but only four met their strict criteria for having clear definitions and good methods. The researchers focused on studies that measured muscle strength, physical function, and body composition changes.

This type of review is important because sarcopenic obesity is becoming more common, but doctors and researchers have been using different definitions for the condition. By focusing only on studies that used consistent, accepted definitions, the researchers could get a clearer picture of what treatments actually work.

The researchers used standard tools to check study quality and found that all four studies had high risk of bias, meaning the results might not be reliable. The studies were also very small and didn’t include diverse groups of people.

What the Results Show

Only four randomized controlled trials met the criteria, involving 246 people total. All four studies tested resistance exercise programs, which involve exercises like lifting weights or using resistance bands to build muscle strength. Three of the four studies included only women, and all were done in community settings rather than hospitals or clinics. One study combined resistance exercises with nutritional counseling. The studies showed some promise for improving muscle strength and physical function, but the results weren’t strong enough to make definitive recommendations.

The review revealed a major gap in research - despite sarcopenic obesity being a growing health concern, very few high-quality studies have been done. Most research has focused on either obesity or muscle loss separately, not the combination of both conditions. The studies that do exist are small and don’t represent diverse populations well.

Previous research has shown that resistance training helps with regular sarcopenia (muscle loss without obesity) and that various approaches help with obesity alone. However, this review shows we have very little specific research on the combination condition, which may require different treatment approaches than either condition alone.

The biggest limitation is that all studies had high risk of bias, meaning their results might not be accurate. The studies were also very small, didn’t include men equally, and were all done in similar community settings. None of the studies followed people for very long, so we don’t know about long-term effects.

The Bottom Line

Based on limited evidence, resistance training appears to be a reasonable approach for sarcopenic obesity, but we can’t make strong recommendations yet. If you have this condition, work with healthcare providers to develop an individualized plan that may include resistance exercises and nutrition support.

This research is most relevant for older adults who are experiencing both weight gain and muscle loss, their families, and healthcare providers. People with just obesity or just muscle loss should continue following established guidelines for their specific conditions.

The existing studies were too short and small to determine realistic timelines for seeing benefits. More research is needed before we can tell people what to expect and when.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track both your body weight and muscle-building activities like resistance exercises, noting how many sets, reps, and what resistance level you use
  • Start incorporating resistance exercises 2-3 times per week, beginning with light weights or resistance bands and gradually increasing as you get stronger
  • Monitor changes in both your weight and your strength levels over time, such as how much weight you can lift or how many push-ups you can do

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you think you may have sarcopenic obesity or are experiencing both weight gain and muscle loss, consult with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.