Sarcopenia with obesity and daily-activity limits in older Brazilians
In a cross-sectional study of 6,874 Brazilians aged 60 and older, sarcopenia combined with general or abdominal obesity was linked to higher odds of self-reported difficulty with basic daily activities only in women; instrumental-activity difficulties appeared in both sexes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The cross-sectional study included 6,874 Brazilians aged 60 or older from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (2019-2021). [1]
Sarcopenia was defined as low gait speed together with low handgrip strength, per the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium criteria. [1]
Outcomes were self-reported difficulties in performing at least one basic and one instrumental activity of daily living. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional study (abstract)
- Population / context
- 6,874 Brazilian adults aged 60 or older from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (2019-2021).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 9, 2026
Sarcopenia and obesity in older Brazilians
The study asked whether sarcopenia alone, or combined with general or abdominal obesity, was associated with limitations in basic (BADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living. It used 6,874 adults aged 60 or older from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (2019-2021). Sarcopenia followed the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium criteria: low gait speed together with low handgrip strength. Results were analyzed separately by sex.
Supporting source [1]
Higher odds mainly in women for basic activities
For BADL limitations, higher odds appeared only among women with sarcopenia and general obesity (odds ratio 3.37; 95% confidence interval 1.47-7.71) and with sarcopenia and abdominal obesity (2.59; 1.16-5.76). For IADL, higher odds were seen in women with sarcopenia without general obesity (2.08; 1.59-2.71) and without abdominal obesity (2.14; 1.56-2.94), and with sarcopenia plus general obesity (2.52; 1.64-3.87) or abdominal obesity (2.46; 1.59-3.79). In men, higher IADL odds appeared with sarcopenia without general obesity (2.49; 1.67-3.73) and without abdominal obesity (2.50; 1.48-4.22), and with sarcopenia plus general obesity (2.23; 1.01-4.91) or abdominal obesity (2.52; 1.30-4.90).
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional design limits causal reading
This was a cross-sectional study, so it describes associations at one time point and cannot show whether sarcopenia or obesity caused the reported difficulties. Outcomes were self-reported difficulties in performing at least one BADL and one IADL. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Cross-sectional design means associations, not causes. Outcomes were self-reported.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Danielewicz AL, Freitas BP, Moreira BS, Lopes EC, Rosa RA, Lima-Costa MF, Avelar NCP. · europepmc.org · October 9, 2026