WASHINGTON—A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that individuals with excess body fat who maintain muscle strength may have a reduced risk of developing obesity-induced heart, liver, or kidney damage, and may also experience lower mortality rates. This research offers new insights into the complex relationship between muscle strength and obesity-related health complications.
The findings come at a time when obesity is often perceived primarily as a risk factor for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, rather than a chronic disease in its own right. Obesity is typically defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, which is a calculation based on a person’s height and weight. However, BMI does not directly measure body fat, leading to additional assessments like waist circumference and body fat percentage being used to better understand health risks associated with excess adiposity.
Understanding the Impact of Muscle Strength
According to Dr. Yun Shen of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, muscle strength, particularly grip strength, can serve as a significant early indicator of individuals at risk for obesity-induced organ dysfunctions. “Our findings show that muscle strength is a powerful, early sign of who is most at risk of developing obesity-induced organ dysfunctions among people with excess body fat,” Shen stated. “Because grip strength is easy to measure and strength can be improved with weight training, this research points to a practical, low-cost way to identify at-risk individuals and to act early.”
The study analyzed data from 93,275 participants in the UK Biobank, focusing on the association between grip strength and the progression to obesity-induced organ dysfunctions or death. Participants were in a “preclinical obesity” stage, characterized by higher-than-average body fat and size measures but without resulting organ dysfunctions.
“This protective link was consistent in multiple checks using other muscle metrics, including the muscle-to-weight and lean-to-weight ratios,” Shen said.
Research Methodology and Findings
The study’s methodology involved examining the participants over a mean follow-up period of 13.4 years. The researchers discovered that those with stronger handgrip strength were less likely to progress to obesity and had a lower mortality rate. This correlation was consistently observed across various muscle metrics, reinforcing the potential protective role of muscle strength against obesity-related health issues.
Additional authors of the study include Manrong Xu, Menghan Li, Yawen Zhang, and Lianxi Li from Shanghai Six People’s Hospital in Shanghai, China, and Gang Hu from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The study received funding from the Collaboration in Action Program 2024, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Implications and Future Directions
This study highlights the importance of muscle strength as a potentially modifiable factor in reducing the risk of obesity-related health complications. The ease of measuring grip strength and the accessibility of strength training as an intervention offer promising avenues for public health strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of obesity.
As the global obesity epidemic continues to pose significant health challenges, this research underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of obesity as a chronic disease. Future studies could expand on these findings by exploring the mechanisms through which muscle strength exerts its protective effects and by developing targeted interventions that leverage these insights.
The study, titled “Handgrip Strength and Trajectories of Preclinical Obesity Progression: A Multi-State Model Analysis Using the UK Biobank,” was published online ahead of print, marking a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on obesity and its related health implications.
