Age-Related Associations Between Relative Handgrip Strength and Body Composition in Women with Obesity

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Obesity Research
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Relative muscular function is a key indicator of muscle quality and health in individuals with obesity.
• Limited research exists on the age-related associations between relative handgrip strength and body composition in obese women.
• Understanding these relationships is crucial for targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between relative handgrip strength and various body composition outcomes in a cohort of women with obesity.
• To examine whether these associations differ across different age groups.
• To explore the clinical relevance of relative handgrip strength as a marker in obesity management.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 419 female outpatients with obesity (aged 18-80 years).
• Body composition assessed via BMI, waist circumference (WC), fat mass percentage (FM%), and fat-free mass (FFM%).
• Relative handgrip strength (relative HST) measured alongside functional performance tests; age-stratified regressions analyzed associations.

Main Results:

• Relative HST showed significant associations with lower FM% and higher FFM% across all age groups.
• Associations with lower WC were noted in middle-aged and older women.
• No significant differences in the strength of associations between relative HST and body composition across age groups were found.

Conclusions:

• Relative handgrip strength is consistently associated with body composition in women with obesity, irrespective of age.
• These findings suggest relative HST provides valuable clinical information beyond standard anthropometric measurements.
• Further prospective research is warranted to confirm the clinical utility of relative HST in personalized obesity care.