biostudies-literatureUnknown50(2)Dulloo AG<h4>Background/aims</h4>Sarcopenic obesity is variably characterized by low muscle mass and/or low muscle strength in co-existence with excess adiposity. We investigated, in young women of South Asian (Indian) descent in Mauritius, the relationships between low muscle strength or low muscle mass with adverse body fat distribution patterns and blood markers of cardiometabolic risks.<h4>Methods</h4>Data were collected after an overnight fast in healthy young women (n = 203) across a wide range of body mass index (14-42 kg/m²). After blood pressure measurements, blood was withdrawn and assays performed for glycemic profile (glucose, insulin, HbA1c), blood lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterols), and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein. Body composition, appendicular lean mass (ALM) and fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while handgrip strength (HGS) was measured using a digital dynamometer. Obesity was defined as body fat% exceeding 40, while low muscle mass and strength were determined as values below ESPEN/EASO cut-offs for diagnosing sarcopenic obesity in Asian women, namely: HGS < 18 kg and ALM relative to weight (ALM/W) < 23%.<h4>Results</h4>Among the women with obesity (60% of the cohort), 41% showed low HGS and 43% low ALM/W. Those with low HGS, though not differing from those with higher HGS in body fat% and ALM/W, had significantly higher visceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio and higher blood lipids. Furthermore, linear regression analysis indicates a significant inverse relationship between HGS adjusted for arm lean mass and visceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio. By contrast, no adverse body fat distribution pattern nor adverse cardiometabolic risk markers were observed in those with low ALM/W.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These results in young women suggest that an increase in the ratio of visceral-to-peripheral adiposity associated with low muscle strength (but not low muscle mass) may constitute early events in the complex interactions between adverse body fat distribution, cardiometabolic risks and proneness to sarcopenic obesity.International journal of obesity (2005)355-364https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12913029biostudies-literatureVisceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio in proneness to sarcopenic obesity: association with low muscle strength, but not low muscle mass, in young women of South Asian descent.PMC12913029Hunma SJoonas NSchutz YRamessur BNDulloo AGRamessur VMontani JPfalseVisceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio in proneness to sarcopenic obesity: association with low muscle strength, but not low muscle mass, in young women of South Asian descent.<h4>Background/aims</h4>Sarcopenic obesity is variably characterized by low muscle mass and/or low muscle strength in co-existence with excess adiposity. We investigated, in young women of South Asian (Indian) descent in Mauritius, the relationships between low muscle strength or low muscle mass with adverse body fat distribution patterns and blood markers of cardiometabolic risks.<h4>Methods</h4>Data were collected after an overnight fast in healthy young women (n = 203) across a wide range of body mass index (14-42 kg/m²). After blood pressure measurements, blood was withdrawn and assays performed for glycemic profile (glucose, insulin, HbA1c), blood lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterols), and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein. Body composition, appendicular lean mass (ALM) and fat distribution were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while handgrip strength (HGS) was measured using a digital dynamometer. Obesity was defined as body fat% exceeding 40, while low muscle mass and strength were determined as values below ESPEN/EASO cut-offs for diagnosing sarcopenic obesity in Asian women, namely: HGS < 18 kg and ALM relative to weight (ALM/W) < 23%.<h4>Results</h4>Among the women with obesity (60% of the cohort), 41% showed low HGS and 43% low ALM/W. Those with low HGS, though not differing from those with higher HGS in body fat% and ALM/W, had significantly higher visceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio and higher blood lipids. Furthermore, linear regression analysis indicates a significant inverse relationship between HGS adjusted for arm lean mass and visceral-to-peripheral adiposity ratio. By contrast, no adverse body fat distribution pattern nor adverse cardiometabolic risk markers were observed in those with low ALM/W.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These results in young women suggest that an increase in the ratio of visceral-to-peripheral adiposity associated with low muscle strength (but not low muscle mass) may constitute early events in the complex interactions between adverse body fat distribution, cardiometabolic risks and proneness to sarcopenic obesity.2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-09T11:07:30.873Z2026-07-09T10:41:28.876ZS-EPMC129130294113652210.1038/s41366-025-01934-y