Abstract: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a progressive disease characterized by obesity accompanied by declining skeletal muscle mass and/or strength in aging populations, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. A large number of studies have shown that the body composition of the elderly could gradually change with age, even if the body weight remains at the same level, skeletal muscle mass and functions could decrease and fat deposition could increase mainly in muscle tissues and visceral organs, leading to increased accumulation of intramuscular fat, accelerated secretion of inflammatory phenomena, reduced level of growth hormones, deficient intake of nutrients, increased daily physical inactivity, degenerated neuronal function, and improved insulin resistance, which are highly associated with sarcopenic obesity. Based on the molecular underlying molecular mechanisms, protein synthesis and degradation, glucose and lipid metabolism and related cytokines in skeletal muscle are involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism during sarcopenic obesity. Exercise intervention, calorie restriction, and consumption of proteins, vitamin D, β-hydroxy-β-methyl-butyrate (HMB), creatine and whey protein can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenic obesity. Although the number of population with sarcopenic obesity increases, the pathogenesis of sarcopenic obesity is inconsistently understood and inconsistent evaluation criteria and prevention and treatment strategies for this disease are used by researchers, causing great difficulties in studying sarcopenic obesity. In this article, we summarize and discuss the literature to date regarding the definition, pathogenesis and related signal pathways of sarcopenic obesity, as well as the corresponding prevention and treatment strategies (exercise or nutrition interventions), which will provide a novel insight into the prevention and treatment of sarcopenic obesity.

Key words: sarcopenic obesity, pathogenesis, signal pathway, prevention and treatment strategies