Parâmetros demográficos, antropométricos e de composição corporal associados à baixa força de preensão manual em adultos com obesidade

Abstract

Introduction Obesity is one of the most important public health challenges worldwide. About 15% of individuals with obesity exhibit an increased risk of having low muscle strength. Individuals with obesity and low muscle strength present a higher risk for poor outcomes, such as compromised well-being, functional incapacities, and all-cause mortality. It is strategic for health services to diagnose low muscle strength early in high-risk adults with obesity. Aim To identify demographic, anthropometrical, and body composition parameters related to low HGS in adults with obesity. Material and Methods This cross-sectional, descriptive study included 100 adults with obesity (male/female ratio: 0.56/1; age: 40.04 ± 14.13 years). Anthropometric assessments of weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip (cm), waist-to-height ratio, body round index, conicity index, waist-body mass index, A body shape index, body roundness index, and calf circumference (CC) were performed using anthropometrical methods. Muscle mass was estimated using anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) methods. BIA also estimated fat-free mass, fat-free mass fat mass, and percentage FM/body weight. A handgrip strength (HGS) assessed muscle strength. Muscle performance was assessed by a 4-m gait speed (4m-GS) test. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between HGS and independent parameters. Results A low HGS was diagnosed in 40% of adults with obesity (men: 51.3% and women: 32.8%). Logisti binary regression analysis showed that an increase of one unit of WC increased the chance of low HGS in adults with obesity (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.021-1.127). Still, an increase of one unit of CC decreased the chance of low HGS by 16% in adults with obesity (OR = 0.884, 95%CI = 0.732- 0.972). Conclusions Low HGS is a prevalent finding among adults with obesity. The early identification of adults with obesity at high risk of low muscle strength by assessing reliable, non-expensive, and easy-to-perform WC and CC anthropometric parameters in different health service settings may favor better outcomes for adults with obesity.