Obesity is globally a serious public health concern and is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and various types of cancers. It is important to evaluate various types of obesity, such as visceral and sarcopenic obesity. The evidence on the associated risk of CVD, cancer and sarcopenic obesity, including pathophysiological aspects, occurrence, clinical implications and survival, needs further investigation. Sarcopenic obesity is a relatively new term. It is a clinical condition that primarily affects older adults. There are several endocrine-hormonal, metabolic and lifestyle aspects involved in the occurrence of sarcopenic obesity that affect pathophysiological aspects that, in turn, contribute to CVD and neoplasms. However, there is no available evidence on the role of sarcopenic obesity in the occurrence of CVD and cancer and its pathophysiological interplay. Therefore, this review aims to describe the pathophysiological aspects and the clinical and epidemiological evidence on the role of sarcopenic obesity related to the occurrence and mortality risk of various types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. This literature review highlights the need for further research on sarcopenic obesity to demonstrate the interrelation of these various associations.

Background: In light of the demographic context in which the older adult population is prominent, sarcopenia emerges as a significant concern for the health of these individuals. Aim: To assess the frequency of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia and the associated risk factors in the oldest adults living in the community. Methods: There were 399 participants aged 80 or older, of both sexes, using primary health care services in the metropolitan area of Brasília, Brazil. Sarcopenia was evaluated based on European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). Muscle mass was measured by calf circumference, muscle function by handgrip strength, and muscle performance by gait speed. Clinical and socioeconomic variables, comorbidities, falls, and urinary incontinence were collected. The prevalence of sarcopenia was calculated with a 95% (IC) prevalence. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed in Stata, with p < 5%. Results: Among participants, 78.2% were women. Prevalence of pre-sarcopenia was 31.8%, sarcopenia 3.3%, and severe sarcopenia 25.1%. After multivariate regression, sarcopenia was associated with the female sex, low weight, and a dependency for activities of daily living (ADLs). Similarly, severe sarcopenia remained associated with female sex, low weight, and an ADLs dependency. Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were not associated with the level of education, marital status, income, physical activity, medications, falls, nor comorbidities. Conclusions: A quarter of older adults had severe sarcopenia. Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were associated with being a woman, being low weight, and have an ADLs dependence.