How Common Are Muscle and Bone Concerns in Older Weight Loss Surgery Candidates?
A 2026 study found that muscle and bone health problems are surprisingly common in older people who are candidates for weight loss surgery. Both conditions were present in a significant proportion of participants before any surgery had taken place.
The Study Looked at 109 People Over 60 at a Single Hospital
Researchers assessed 109 candidates for weight loss surgery, all aged over 60, at one university hospital. The average age of participants was 64. Assessments covered body composition, muscle strength and physical function, bone mineral density (a measure of how strong and dense bones are), physical activity levels and obesity related health conditions.
About 42 in 100 Had Reduced Muscle Mass and About 27 in 100 Also Had Reduced Bone Density
The study found that about 42 in 100 participants had sarcopenic obesity, which means carrying excess body weight while also having reduced muscle mass and strength. About 27 in 100 had osteosarcopenic obesity, where reduced bone density was present on top of those muscle concerns. Women were more likely to have reduced bone density, while a breathing condition called obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly pauses during sleep, was more common in men.
This Was a Snapshot at One Centre, So Findings May Not Apply Everywhere
The researchers concluded that thorough preoperative assessment, meaning checks carried out before surgery, is important for older weight loss surgery candidates given how common these conditions were. Because this was a cross-sectional study conducted at a single hospital, it captured one point in time and the results may not reflect every population or setting.
About this research: Preoperative assessment of sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia prevalence in bariatric surgery candidates over 60, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 2026. Read the study summary
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