Clinical characteristics and survival in sarcopenic obesity defined by the Japanese working group on sarcopenic obesity criteria versus existing definitions in older adults: findings from the Otassha study
Authors' conclusion
Sarcopenic obesity defined by the JWGSO is distinct from conventional sarcopenia with obesity and ESPEN/EASO-defined sarcopenic obesity. This population-specific criterion may improve identification of older Japanese adults at higher risk of poor physical function and mortality, although further validation is warranted.
Study context
- Population
- Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years, 2012 Otassha Study
- Participants
- 736 adults
- Exposure
- Sarcopenic obesity by Japanese Working Group on Sarcopenic Obesity (JWGSO) criteria vs ESPEN/EASO criteria and conventional sarcopenia with obesity
- JWGSOn = 57
- ESPEN/EASOn = 55
- Outcome
- Prevalence, characteristics and validity of JWGSO-defined sarcopenic obesity
Methodological detailscommunity-dwelling, ≈8-year follow-up
- Community-dwelling
- ≈8-year follow-up
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity
- Agreement of JWGSO with conventional sarcopenic obesity: fair (Cohen's kappa)
- K = 0.345
- Agreement of JWGSO with ESPEN/EASO: substantial (Cohen's kappa)
- K = 0.671
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortality with JWGSO-defined sarcopenic obesity · late follow-up periodJWGSO sarcopenic obesityvs no sarcopenic obesity | 3.75 (1.66–8.50) | P = 0.002 | |
| 0.10.31310Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- Mortality with JWGSO-defined sarcopenic obesity: Cox models stratified into early and late follow-up periods (proportional hazards assumption violated)
Characteristics of participants with vs without sarcopenic obesity (either definition)
- With sarcopenic obesity: older; lower walking speed, grip strength and balance; higher prevalence of conventional sarcopenia, knee osteoarthritis and reduced mobility function
- P = 0.022 to p < 0.001
- Regardless of definition
Mortality with JWGSO-defined sarcopenic obesity · late follow-up period
- Not significantly associated with mortality in early follow-up
Original publication
Clinical characteristics and survival in sarcopenic obesity defined by the Japanese working group on sarcopenic obesity criteria versus existing definitions in older adults: findings from the Otassha study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 24 March 2026. doi:10.
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