| Objective To investigate the characteristics of sarcopenic obesity related to bone health and balance in the elderly. Methods A total of 168 elderly people aged over 50 years were recruited and their whole body areal bone mineral density (aBMD), body fat percentage and appendicular lean mass (ALM) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to assess muscle density and cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD), area, thickness and strength-strain index (SSI) at the 66% tibial length. Hand grip strength (dynamometry) and balance path length (computerized posturography) were assessed. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to compare associations of characteristics of sarcopenic obesity and bone healthy parameters. Results Higher lower-leg muscle density was associated with lower balance path length in males (r = -0.36, P=0.008) and females (r=-0.40, P=0.003). Obese subjects with a BMI≥30 kg/m2 had higher whole-body aBMD, and greater cortical area, thickness and SSI at the proximal tibia than those with normal BMI. In multivariate regression analysis, in obese subjects lower-leg muscle density had positive association with proximal tibial cortical vBMD (β=2.91, 95% CI: 0.02-5.80, P=0.004) and area (β=2.70, 95% CI: 0.06-5.33, P=0.001), respectively. Conclusion Among the body composition index, higher ALM is a good indicator of bone health, and low muscle density could seriously affect bone health and balance of the elderly. |