Endocrinologist from Hospital Jean Bitar advises on the condition 'Sarcopenic Obesity'

Sarcopenic obesity combines two health problems: excess body fat and loss of muscle mass and strength. According to the endocrinologist from Hospital Jean Bitar, Emanuelle Pantoja, the condition is still little known, especially among people over 50, despite being common in this age group.

“In the past, we had fewer resources to assess body composition and little understanding of the importance of muscle for autonomy. Today we know that this combination is frequent and concerning,” she explains.

The risk is high: sarcopenic obesity can increase the chance of death by up to 83%. This is because it affects mobility, raises the risk of falls, promotes sedentary behavior, and intensifies inflammatory processes linked to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular problems.

Among the main risk factors are sedentary lifestyle, smoking, prolonged use of corticosteroids, inflammatory diseases, a diet low in protein and high in carbohydrates and fats. “With age, we all lose muscle mass, but strength exercises, such as weight training, help to prevent it,” the doctor emphasizes.

At HJB, treatment involves multidisciplinary follow-up, with an endocrinologist and nutritionist, focusing on dietary re-education, encouraging exercise, and, when necessary, the use of medications or bariatric surgery. The goal is to reduce fat and preserve muscle mass.

For those looking to age healthily, the endocrinologist's message is clear: “Movement is life. Exercise, prioritize muscle strength, eat a balanced diet, and seek medical follow-up to prevent and treat early.”

Zero Obesity Program that Transforms Lives

Elziane dos Anjos, 42 years old, a housewife from the city of Capitão Poço, which is 217 km from Belém, currently weighs 88 kg and is treating chronic lower back pain, using a neuromodulator for eight years.

Due to being overweight, she was advised to undergo bariatric surgery for weight reduction, to not lose the functionalities of the device. “Today I started my pre-operative journey, with the endocrinologist, and then I will see other specialists to have the surgery. My expectation is to reach 48 kg,” said the patient, an example among dozens of patients who need surgery to treat comorbidities.

From January to June of this year, the unit totaled 236,560 relevant attendances, maintaining the user satisfaction rate above 93%. Among the main services provided during this period, there were 35,983 medical and non-medical outpatient consultations, 1,628 hospitalizations, 1,906 surgeries, 191,092 general exams, and 5,951 multiprofessional sessions.

Service:

Hospital Jean Bitar is part of the public health network of the Government of Pará and is managed by the National Institute for Social and Human Development (INDSH), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa).

HJB provides assistance in medium and high complexity in the outpatient and hospital areas for transgender users, and in medical and surgical clinics for metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases. It is located at Rua Cônego Jerônimo Pimentel, No. 543, in the Umarizal neighborhood, in Belém. For more information: (091) 3073-6610 or (091) 3108-6161.

Text by Marcelo Zeno / Ascom HJB