Mixed
Obesity in older adults may preserve absolute skeletal muscle mass compared to lean peers due to increased mechanical loading from higher body weight, creating an 'obesity paradox' where higher BMI is associated with lower mortality risk despite impaired muscle quality.
For older adults, maintaining muscle mass is crucial for survival. While obesity is linked to health risks, it may paradoxically help preserve the amount of muscle you have because your body has to work harder to move your weight. However, this doesn't mean obesity is 'good' for muscle function, which often declines. Focus on preserving muscle through activity rather than just focusing on weight loss, as losing muscle mass is a bigger risk than having extra fat.
obese individuals seemingly maintain a higher absolute quantity of muscle mass compared with their lean counterparts... supporting the existence of an aging 'obesity paradox'... survival was greatest with a normal BMI... [but] obesity paradox is likely explained by low levels of lean mass, rather than low fat mass, in the lower range of BMI
Why this rating
The paper is a narrative review citing multiple observational cohort studies and some animal models, but lacks a single definitive clinical trial establishing causality for the paradox.
Source
Exploring the Impact of Obesity on Skeletal Muscle Function in Older Age
Paul T. Morgan et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020
DOI 10.3389/fnut.2020.569904
Related findings · Mixed
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