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Obesity

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The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Published on: May 24, 2018

'Sarcobesity': a metabolic conundrum.

Evelyn B Parr¹, Vernon G Coffey, John A Hawley

¹Exercise & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.

|December 4, 2012

Summary

Losing fat while preserving muscle mass is key for adults facing sarcopenia and obesity. Combining resistance and aerobic exercise with mild, high-protein, energy-restricted diets is the recommended strategy for healthy weight loss.

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Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Published on: May 24, 2018

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Metabolic Health
Exercise Physiology

Background:

Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and obesity are increasing health concerns in developed nations.
Obesity often worsens sarcopenia, leading to increased fat mass, decreased muscle mass, and 'sarcobesity,' impacting mobility and health.
Sarcobesity presents a critical challenge: reducing fat mass while maintaining muscle mass.

Purpose of the Study:

To review lifestyle interventions for preventing and treating sarcobesity.
To evaluate the effectiveness of energy restriction and exercise modalities in managing body composition.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific evidence on sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcobesity interventions.
Analysis of the impact of energy-restricted diets, aerobic exercise, and resistance exercise on body composition.

Main Results:

Energy restriction alone leads to loss of both fat and muscle mass, negatively affecting body composition.
Aerobic exercise effectively reduces fat mass and improves metabolism.
Resistance exercise is crucial for preserving lean (muscle) mass.

Conclusions:

A combination approach is most effective for healthy weight loss in sarcobesity.
Mild energy-restricted high-protein diets complemented by both resistance and aerobic exercise are strongly supported.
This integrated strategy addresses sarcobesity by promoting fat loss and muscle preservation.