TITLE:
Sarcopenic Obesity and Falls in Older Adults: A Narrative Review
AUTHORS:
Wei Yan, Bo Zhou
KEYWORDS:
Sarcopenic Obesity, Falls, Older Adults, Sarcopenia, Obesity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.10,
October
16,
2026
ABSTRACT: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a pathological condition in which two problems show up together: skeletal muscle mass and function go down, while adipose tissue goes up. A double hit, in other words. As populations age and obesity rates rise, SO has become a growing public health concern. Existing epidemiological evidence suggests that older adults with SO may be at higher risk of falls than those with sarcopenia or obesity alone. But the findings are inconsistent across studies, and because no diagnostic criteria are universally accepted, it is hard to synthesize what’s out there. That remains a real obstacle. This narrative review offers an overview of how definitions of SO have evolved and how prevalence estimates vary. It then summarizes the epidemiological evidence linking SO to falls, discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms that may be involved, and evaluates current interventions—exercise, nutrition, and pharmacotherapy. Throughout, we pay particular attention to differences in diagnostic criteria, study populations, and effect sizes. We also offer some preliminary, evidence-based suggestions for clinical identification and management, with the aim of informing future research and clinical practice.