Review

Pathophysiological mechanisms linking sarcopenic obesity to mental health among older people: A state-of-the-art review linking peripheral signals to neural consequences

  • Published: 20 October 2026
  • Background 

    Sarcopenia and obesity are global health concerns that usually precede the onset and development of adverse health outcomes among older people. Recent findings have shown that sarcopenic obesity is a significant risk factor for geriatric mental health conditions, especially depression. However, it remains mechanistically unclear how sarcopenic obesity-specific interactions among adipose tissues, skeletal muscles, and/or the sites of intramuscular lipid accumulation adversely affect the mental health of older adults.

    Scope 

    Peer-reviewed articles on both clinical (humans) and preclinical (experimental animals and cultured cells) studies primarily aiming at elucidating the associations between sarcopenic obesity and mental health and the molecular mechanisms behind, with English full-text available, were included.

    Key findings 

    In this review, we reviewed the definitions, diagnostic criteria [European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)], screening and staging, and health consequences of sarcopenic obesity. We discuss potential mechanisms underlying the association between sarcopenic obesity and mental health, including dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, chronic systemic low-grade inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), oxidative stress, and an imbalance between adipokines (leptin, fatty acid–binding proteins, adiponectin, and resistin) and myokines (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, irisin, fibroblast growth factor 21, and apelin). Additionally, we gain novel insights into the deficiency in store-operated Ca2+ entry regulatory factor in immune cells, triggering the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the influx of peripheral tissue factors into the brain via disrupting the blood–brain barrier.

    Conclusions 

    A deep understanding of the molecular pathways behind the onset of sarcopenic obesity-related mental disorders can provide a future perspective for the identification of evidence-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human clinical studies.

    Citation: Wilson Kin Chung Leung, Sonata Suk Yu Yau, Connie Yim Ching Yau, Simon Ching Lam, Lorna Kwai Ping Suen. Pathophysiological mechanisms linking sarcopenic obesity to mental health among older people: A state-of-the-art review linking peripheral signals to neural consequences[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(4): 1034-1068. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.20260054

    Related Papers:

  • Background 

    Sarcopenia and obesity are global health concerns that usually precede the onset and development of adverse health outcomes among older people. Recent findings have shown that sarcopenic obesity is a significant risk factor for geriatric mental health conditions, especially depression. However, it remains mechanistically unclear how sarcopenic obesity-specific interactions among adipose tissues, skeletal muscles, and/or the sites of intramuscular lipid accumulation adversely affect the mental health of older adults.

    Scope 

    Peer-reviewed articles on both clinical (humans) and preclinical (experimental animals and cultured cells) studies primarily aiming at elucidating the associations between sarcopenic obesity and mental health and the molecular mechanisms behind, with English full-text available, were included.

    Key findings 

    In this review, we reviewed the definitions, diagnostic criteria [European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)], screening and staging, and health consequences of sarcopenic obesity. We discuss potential mechanisms underlying the association between sarcopenic obesity and mental health, including dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, chronic systemic low-grade inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), oxidative stress, and an imbalance between adipokines (leptin, fatty acid–binding proteins, adiponectin, and resistin) and myokines (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, irisin, fibroblast growth factor 21, and apelin). Additionally, we gain novel insights into the deficiency in store-operated Ca2+ entry regulatory factor in immune cells, triggering the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the influx of peripheral tissue factors into the brain via disrupting the blood–brain barrier.

    Conclusions 

    A deep understanding of the molecular pathways behind the onset of sarcopenic obesity-related mental disorders can provide a future perspective for the identification of evidence-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human clinical studies.


    Abbreviations

    ASM

    appendicular skeletal muscle

    ASMI

    appendicular skeletal muscle index

    AWGS

    Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia

    BBB

    blood–brain barrier

    BDNF

    brain-derived neurotrophic factor

    BIA

    bioelectrical impedance analysis

    BMI

    body mass index

    bw

    body weight

    Ca2+

    calcium ions

    Cav1

    L-type channels

    CNS

    central nervous system

    CRP

    C-reactive protein

    DXA

    dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

    EASO

    European Association for the Study of Obesity

    ERK1/2

    Mitogen-activated protein kinase

    ESPEN

    European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

    EWGSOP

    European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People

    FABP

    fatty acid–binding proteins

    FFAs

    free fatty acids

    FGF21

    fibroblast growth factor 21

    FNIH

    Foundation of the National Institutes of Health

    HG

    handgrip

    HPA

    hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal

    IGF-1

    insulin-like growth factor 1

    IL-4

    interleukin-4

    IL-6

    interleukin-6

    IL-18

    interleukin-18

    IR

    insulin resistance

    IWGS

    International Working Group on Sarcopenia

    MDD

    major depressive disorder

    miRNAs

    microRNAs

    MMP

    matrix metalloproteinases

    ROS

    reactive oxygen species

    SARAF

    stored-operated calcium entry regulatory factor

    SO

    sarcopenic obesity

    STAT3

    signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

    T2D

    type 2 diabetes

    TNF-α

    tumor necrosis factor alpha

    TrkB

    tyrosine kinase 2

    TRP

    transient receptor potential

    WC

    waist circumference

    加载中


    Funding



    This work was supported by School Research Grant (grant number SRFP250002) of Tung Wah College and College Research Grant (grant number CRG2023/01) of Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
    The funding source had no involvement in study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

    Availability of data and materials



    All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

    Authors' contributions



    Leung WKC, Yau SSY, Lam SC, and Suen LKP conceived and designed the study. Leung WKC and Yau SSY designed search strategies. Leung WKC and Yau CYC conducted literature search and data extraction. Leung WKC prepared figures 1–5, tables 1–5, and appendices 1–3. Leung WKC, Yau SSY, Yau CYC, Lam SC, and Suen LKP reviewed, commented on, and edited the main content. All authors read and approved of the final manuscript.

    Conflict of interest



    Lorna Kwai Ping Suen is an editorial board member for AIMS Public Health and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The authors declare no financial or non-financial competing interests.

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