Background and objective

The role of physical activity (PA) and fitness with respect to the relationship between sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Korean men is poorly understood. This study investigated whether or not PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) attenuate the synergistic impact of sarcopenic obesity on CVD risk in a sample of Korean men aged 40 years and older.

Material and methods

This study analyzed data (n=3089 men aged 40 years and older) obtained from the KNHANES IV and V. Participants were classified into four groups: the absence of both sarcopenia and obesity called optimal body composition, the presence of sarcopenia only, the presence of obesity only, or the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity defined as sarcopenic obesity. The 10-year Framingham risk score model was used to estimate CVD risk, which was classified into low (<10%), intermediate (10–20%), and high (>20%) categories. PA was assessed with the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. CRF was estimated using nonexercise-based health indicators such as gender, age, resting heart rate, and PA score.

Results

Logistic regression analyses showed that the odds ratios (ORs) for ≥10% 10-year CVD risk were significantly higher in the order of obesity (OR=1.717, p<0.001), sarcopenia (OR=2.290, p<0.001), and sarcopenic obesity (OR=3.568, p<0.001) compared to optimal (OR=1). The ORs of ≥10% 10-year CVD risk remained statistically significant even after adjustment for age, education, and income but were no longer significant after additional adjustment for PA and CRF.

Conclusion

The current findings suggest that high PA and CRF attenuate the synergistic impact of sarcopenia and obesity on CVD risk in Korean men, implying a clinical importance of interventions targeting low PA and poor CRF for men with sarcopenic obesity.