ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to verify the utility of using physical performance to discriminate the presence of dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) in older adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 382 community-dwelling older adults. DAO was identified when dynapenia (cut-off points of <26 kilogram-force [kgf] for men and <16 kgf for women) was detected together with abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm for men and >88 cm for women). Physical performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). SPPB scores and DAO were inversely associated even after adjustment (OR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.58-0.83). Cut-off points of ≤9 for SPPB scores were the most efficient for discriminating the presence of DAO in both men (AUC= 0.836; 95%CI: 0.76-0.89; sensitivity: 90.91% and specificity: 60.33%) and women (AUC= 0.677; 95%CI: 0.62-0.73; sensitivity: 73.33% and specificity: 40.91%). Physical performance assessed with SPPB can discriminate DAO and be useful for the timely identification and management of this condition in older adults.
