Grip strength: are some adiposity phenotypes more detrimental than others? A Mendelian randomization study
Authors' conclusion
Targeting fat infiltration in muscle may improve muscle function. MetFA appears to negatively impact muscle strength, requiring further investigation into underlying mechanisms.
Study context
- Population
- UK Biobank participantsN ≤ 340,258
- Outcome
- Grip strength
Methodological detailsobservational cross-sectional analysis, sex combined and stratified, inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization (MR), weighted median/mode MR
- Observational cross-sectional analysis
- Sex combined and stratified
- Inverse variance weighted MR
- Weighted median/mode MR
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Grip strength per SD increase in adiposity measure (IVW MR)
Body fat (BF) percentage: lower grip strength
−0.10 SD
95% CI −0.16 to −0.04
MetFA: lower grip strength
−0.31 SD
95% CI −0.45 to −0.18
ATMFI: lower grip strength
−0.05 SD
95% CI −0.09 to −0.01
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Consistency across analyses
- Observational analyses consistent for BF and ATMFI/PTMFI; weighted median/mode MR corroborated MetFA and ATMFI/PTMFI only
Visceral adipose tissue
- Higher visceral adipose tissue associated with lower grip strength in observational analyses only
Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue
- Inconsistent: observational analyses suggested weaker grip; MR suggested stronger grip, particularly in females
MetUFA and gluteofemoral adipose tissue
- No strong evidence in MR for associations
Original publication
Grip strength: are some adiposity phenotypes more detrimental than others? A Mendelian randomization study. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 17 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →