abdominal obesity health risks

Apr 1, 2026

Abdominal Obesity Plus Muscle Mass Loss May Risk Your Life by 87%

Abdominal Obesity Plus Muscle Mass Loss May Risk Your Life by 87%

Obesity is indeed ballooning in India. It's no longer a first-world burden. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), obesity among adolescent girls and boys has increased a whopping 125%! So there is much to worry about. 

Abdominal obesity and muscle loss risk, a combination would end your life soon. This combination is often called Sarcopenic obesity. 

There is much cause for worry, thats for sure. Here is a study that points the finger at the abdominal obesity health risks. Stay with us. 

Sarcopenic obesity definition

So what is Sarcopenic obesity? It is a lesser-known term defined by a condition characterised by loss of muscle mass and the gain of fat throughout the body. 

Low-grade inflammation, excess energy intake, physical inactivity, and insulin resistance are the major sarcopenic obesity causes. Another name for it is frailty syndrome. 

Abdominal obesity is a condition where the circumference of the waist is greater than 102 cm, and in women, it is 88 cm.  

The condition is difficult to diagnose; it is diagnosed using complex tests, such as:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging.

  • Computed tomography.

  • Electrical bioimpedance or densitometry.


These tests will tell you whether or not you have accumulated excess fat and reduced bone muscle mass. 

Low muscle mass is defined by the skeletal muscle mass index below 9.36 kg/m2 for men and 6.73 kg/m2 for women.


Abdominal Obesity And Muscle Loss Risk May Cut Short Your Life: Here’s The Alarming Revelation

Over the years, lots of awareness has been raised regarding obesity. This is why keywords like, ‘ageing and muscle degeneration’ and ‘BMI vs body composition’ are searched quite often in the SERPS.

If you are someone having muscle loss, it's better to consult an orthopaedic specialist for treatment, Birati, North Dumdum. 

Here is a collaborative study done by the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in Brazil, and University College London (UCL) in the UK on how belly fat affects lifespan.


The findings of the study were published in the study entitled, Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 

The researchers considered 12 years of data from 5400 participants aged 50 and older. These were the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). 


Post correlation of the data, it was found that losing muscle and simultaneously gaining fat around the lower abdomen may be more 83% higher death risk. 

This risk may be reduced by 40% for those with low muscle mass and low abdominal obesity. 

So you have to be aware and look out for the causes of muscle wasting. You must also look at the reason for fat accumulation in abdomen. 

Tips On Weight Management and Muscle Mass Development

So it is clear that millions of you who are obese and losing bone muscle, you have to be extra careful. 

The first step would be to consult a dietitian for obesity in Birati. A dietitian in North Dumdum could guide you regarding it. However, 

Lets check out some common ways:

  • Aerobic Activities like brisk walking. 

  • Active lifestyle.

There are numerous fitness and muscle gain programs Kolkata, which you could take assistance of. 

Apart from them, you need optimum sleep and a good diet to keep yourself healthy. 

For muscle mass, you need strength training. Apart from it, you must also focus on stretches and compound exercises.  Next, you have to focus on protein intake for muscle maintenance. 

FAQ:

Q1. What are the best strength training exercises for muscle loss?

The best strength training exercises for muscle loss include deadlifts, push-ups and squats. 


Q2.Can I reverse muscle loss with strength training?

Yes, you can reverse the muscle loss with strength training. They stimulate the growth of your muscles. 


Q3.I am an adult. Is strength training suitable for me?

Yes, strength training is beneficial for balance and mobility.


Q4. I want to start muscle training for muscle loss. What should I begin with?

You must begin with wall push-ups, light dumbbells, and bodyweight.