title: 'Sarcobesity': a metabolic conundrum.
abstract: Two independent but inter-related conditions that have a growing impact on healthy life expectancy and health care costs in developed nations are an age-related loss of muscle mass (i.e., sarcopenia) and obesity. Sarcopenia is commonly exacerbated in overweight and obese individuals. Progression towards obesity promotes an increase in fat mass and a concomitant decrease in muscle mass, producing an unfavourable ratio of fat to muscle. The coexistence of diminished muscle mass and increased fat mass (so-called 'sarcobesity') is ultimately manifested by impaired mobility and/or development of life-style-related diseases. Accordingly, the critical health issue for a large proportion of adults in developed nations is how to lose fat mass while preserving muscle mass. Lifestyle interventions to prevent or treat sarcobesity include energy-restricted diets and exercise. The optimal energy deficit to reduce body mass is controversial. While energy restriction in isolation is an effective short-term strategy for rapid and substantial weight loss, it results in a reduction of both fat and muscle mass and therefore ultimately predisposes one to an unfavourable body composition. Aerobic exercise promotes beneficial changes in whole-body metabolism and reduces fat mass, while resistance exercise preserves lean (muscle) mass. Current evidence strongly supports the inclusion of resistance and aerobic exercise to complement mild energy-restricted high-protein diets for healthy weight loss as a primary intervention for sarcobesity.
authors.affiliation: Exercise & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Evelyn B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.forename: Vernon G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hawley
mesh_terms: D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins