Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on body composition and physical function in older women with sarcopenic obesity: a meta-analysis

Future studies on sarcopenic obesity should adopt the latest international consensus criteria (e.g., European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019) to enhance the comparability and clinical applicability of findings. Current evidence indicates that exercise interventions, particularly resistance training, serve as the cornerstone for improving handgrip strength and functional outcomes such as gait speed. Various non-pharmacological approaches have also been validated in improving body composition indicators (Body Fat Percentage, Appendicular Free Fat Mass, and Skeletal Muscle Index). The synergistic effects of combined exercise and nutritional interventions on muscle mass and strength warrant further investigation, especially to determine the optimal modality and dosage in women with sarcopenic obesity. Future intervention strategies should be systematically designed to integrate short-term intensive programs with long-term maintenance, thereby maximizing therapeutic benefits and improving clinical feasibility.