Lower phase angle was independently associated with sarcopenic obesity in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, suggesting that PhA may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying individuals at high risk of SO.
Key Findings
Results
The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity among participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus was low in this study population.
Among 468 participants, 16 participants had sarcopenic obesity
Mean age of participants was 68.2 ± 11.3 years
This was a cross-sectional study of Japanese individuals with T2DM
Sarcopenic obesity prevalence was approximately 3.4% of the study sample
Results
Phase angle was independently associated with sarcopenic obesity in multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Adjusted odds ratio was 0.88 per 0.1° increase in PhA (95% CI 0.79–0.97, p = 0.01)
Lower PhA was associated with higher risk of sarcopenic obesity
Association remained significant after multivariate adjustment
PhA was derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
Results
ROC analysis identified an optimal phase angle cutoff of 4.55° for diagnosing sarcopenic obesity.
Optimal PhA cutoff was 4.55°
Sensitivity was 0.88 and specificity was 0.70 at this cutoff
AUC was 0.81 (95% CI 0.73–0.89, p = 0.0003)
ROC curves were constructed to assess predictive ability of PhA for SO
Methods
Sarcopenic obesity was defined by the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity using specific BIA-derived and anthropometric criteria.
Sarcopenia was characterized by decreased handgrip strength (men <28 kg, women <18 kg) and reduced BMI-adjusted fat-free mass (men <0.789 kg/BMI, women <0.512 kg/BMI)
Obesity was defined as BMI ≥25 kg/m² and body fat percentage (men ≥20%, women ≥30%)
Body composition and PhA were evaluated by BIA
Both sarcopenia and obesity criteria had to be met simultaneously for an SO diagnosis
Background
Phase angle, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, was evaluated as a marker of cellular health and muscle quality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
PhA is described as a potential marker of cellular health and muscle quality
PhA is derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
The study population consisted of Japanese individuals with T2DM
Sarcopenic obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in individuals with T2DM
Matsuyama T, Yamamoto S, Hashimoto Y, Murai M, Kitagawa N, Hamaguchi M, et al.. (2026). Association between phase angle and the risk of sarcopenic obesity in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study.. Clinical nutrition ESPEN. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.11.158