| With the intensification of global population aging, obesity and sarcopenia have increasingly become prominent public health issues. Body mass index (BMI) is questioned due to its inability to quantify body fat and muscle distribution accurately. In recent years, sarcopenic obesity (SO), a newly classified type of obesity, has garnered significant attention. SO is characterized by the coexistence of muscle loss and fat accumulation, which is marked by a significant reduction in muscle mass and an increase in body fat. Currently, there are no standardized diagnostic criteria for SO. Research has indicated that the prevalence of SO varies significantly across different regions. The presence of SO is linked to various health risks, such as cognitive decline, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of mortality. This article provides an overview of the definition, diagnostic criteria, mechanism research, and impact on health outcomes of SO, offering a new perspective for the management of health of the elderly. |