Investigating the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sarcopenia Amongst Adults Seeking Treatment for Obesity

NCT07541677 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: sarcopenicobesity
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Sarcopenia, a condition where individuals lose muscle mass and strength, is associated with poorer health and function. While aging is a well-known cause of sarcopenia, obesity is increasingly recognised as a significant factor. When sarcopenia and obesity occur together, it can result in more severe health problems. This is especially concerning because weight loss, the treatment for obesity, can further reduce muscle mass and potentially worsen the situation. Despite this, it is unknown how common sarcopenia is among people with obesity, as only a few studies have looked into this using the most accurate diagnostic criteria, showing a prevalence of 4-13%. In this study, the investigators will examine the prevalence of sarcopenia in 300 adults with obesity at a specialized Obesity Center. The investigators expect to find a higher prevalence among Asian participants due to differences in body composition compared to other ethnic groups. The investigators will also explore various factors that might be linked to sarcopenia in these individuals, such as age, gender, race, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, medical conditions, medications, physical activity, aerobic capacity, and dietary protein intake. Some of these factors could help in identifying those at risk of sarcopenia and could be targeted for future treatments. Currently, screening for sarcopenia is not a standard part of routine obesity care as it requires specialized equipment and trained staff. By determining how common sarcopenia is in people with obesity, this study will help healthcare providers better understand the problem and allocate resources effectively. Identifying factors associated with sarcopenia will also help streamline diagnosis and monitoring for those at risk.

Conditions

Obesity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Sarcopenia

  Skeletal muscle mass Skeletal muscle mass measurement will be obtained via bioimpedance analysis using the TANITA MC 780 MA Multi-frequency Segmental Body Composition Analyser. Low skeletal muscle mass will be defined by percentage of skeletal muscle mass divided by body weight of ≤ 37% in males and ≤ 27.6% in females.

  Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline only.

• Handgrip strength

  Handgrip strength will be measured using the Jamar handgrip dynamometer. Two trials will be performed for each hand, and the maximum strength will be used for diagnosis.

  Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline only.

• 5-time chair stand test

  Time taken (seconds) to perform 5 sit-to-stand repetitions

  Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline only.

• 30-second sit-to-stand test

  Number of sit-to-stand repetitions performed in 30 seconds

  Outcome measures will be recorded at baseline only.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Aerobic capacity

  At baseline

• Physical activity questionnaire

  At baseline

• Dietary questionnaire

  At baseline

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults with obesity seeking treatment at Singapore General Hospital Obesity Centre

You may qualify if:

• body mass index ≥ 27.5kg/m2
• able to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• unable to undergo the physical function tests (handgrip strength testing and chair-stand tests)
• pregnant women
• history of bariatric procedures or surgeries
• on medications for treatment of obesity (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, phentermine, naltrexone-bupropion, orlistat)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Singapore General Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Singapore General Hospital

Singapore, Singapore

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2025
• First Posted: April 21, 2026
• Study Start: May 26, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

SG (1)