Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study

BackgroundSarcopenic obesity is characterized by the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, which has been demonstrated to be linked to insulin resistance. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel surrogate indicator of insulin resistance. However, the relationship between sarcopenic obesity...

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Main Authors: Zhengmei Zhao, Ruiting Cai, Lili Tao, Yuxiao Sun, Keping Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1452512/full
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author Zhengmei Zhao
Ruiting Cai
Lili Tao
Yuxiao Sun
Keping Sun
author_facet Zhengmei Zhao
Ruiting Cai
Lili Tao
Yuxiao Sun
Keping Sun
author_sort Zhengmei Zhao
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundSarcopenic obesity is characterized by the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, which has been demonstrated to be linked to insulin resistance. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel surrogate indicator of insulin resistance. However, the relationship between sarcopenic obesity and the TyG index remains unclear. This population-based study aimed to investigate the association between TyG index and sarcopenic obesity in adults.MethodsThis study utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), individuals aged over 45 years were categorized into sarcopenia, obesity, sarcopenic obesity, and control groups. Baseline characteristics were analyzed across these groups. Logistic regression models were employed to explore the association between the TyG index and sarcopenic obesity, adjusting for confounding variables. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the potential variations in this association across different demographic and clinical variables.ResultsA total of 9,485 individuals were included in the study, with the sarcopenic obesity group exhibiting a higher TyG index (8.96 ± 0.61) compared to other groups (p < 0.001). A significant and independent association was observed between higher TyG index and increased likelihood of sarcopenic obesity, even after adjusting for confounders. Participants in the highest TyG index tertile had a 1.82-fold increase in the risk of sarcopenic obesity compared to those in the lowest tertile. Subgroup analyses revealed significant associations between TyG index and sarcopenic obesity across various demographic and clinical variables, particularly in individuals aged over 60 years, females, and those with chronic diseases.ConclusionThe findings suggest a strong association between elevated TyG index and sarcopenic obesity in adults, independent of demographic and clinical factors. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-a8b70b2c05de487db6a84ee7b00219de2025-08-20T03:09:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-04-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14525121452512Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based studyZhengmei Zhao0Ruiting Cai1Lili Tao2Yuxiao Sun3Keping Sun4Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, ChinaBackgroundSarcopenic obesity is characterized by the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, which has been demonstrated to be linked to insulin resistance. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel surrogate indicator of insulin resistance. However, the relationship between sarcopenic obesity and the TyG index remains unclear. This population-based study aimed to investigate the association between TyG index and sarcopenic obesity in adults.MethodsThis study utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), individuals aged over 45 years were categorized into sarcopenia, obesity, sarcopenic obesity, and control groups. Baseline characteristics were analyzed across these groups. Logistic regression models were employed to explore the association between the TyG index and sarcopenic obesity, adjusting for confounding variables. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the potential variations in this association across different demographic and clinical variables.ResultsA total of 9,485 individuals were included in the study, with the sarcopenic obesity group exhibiting a higher TyG index (8.96 ± 0.61) compared to other groups (p < 0.001). A significant and independent association was observed between higher TyG index and increased likelihood of sarcopenic obesity, even after adjusting for confounders. Participants in the highest TyG index tertile had a 1.82-fold increase in the risk of sarcopenic obesity compared to those in the lowest tertile. Subgroup analyses revealed significant associations between TyG index and sarcopenic obesity across various demographic and clinical variables, particularly in individuals aged over 60 years, females, and those with chronic diseases.ConclusionThe findings suggest a strong association between elevated TyG index and sarcopenic obesity in adults, independent of demographic and clinical factors. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1452512/fullsarcopenic obesitytriglyceride-glucose indexinsulin resistancepopulation-based studyCHARLS database
spellingShingle Zhengmei Zhao
Ruiting Cai
Lili Tao
Yuxiao Sun
Keping Sun
Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
Frontiers in Nutrition
sarcopenic obesity
triglyceride-glucose index
insulin resistance
population-based study
CHARLS database
title Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
title_full Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
title_fullStr Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
title_full_unstemmed Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
title_short Association between triglyceride-glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults: a population-based study
title_sort association between triglyceride glucose index and sarcopenic obesity in adults a population based study
topic sarcopenic obesity
triglyceride-glucose index
insulin resistance
population-based study
CHARLS database
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1452512/full
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