Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Prehypertension in Young Adults: Based on the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2023-2024)

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Sarcopenic obesity was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension and prehypertension compared to the normal group (OR 5.68; 95% CI 1.95-16.56; p=0.002).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Prehypertension and hypertension (n=2411). Intervention: Sarcopenic obesity vs. Normal group. Primary outcome: Hypertension (including prehypertension) prevalence (OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.95-16.56, p=0.002).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Sarcopenic obesity is associated with a greater than fivefold increased risk of prehypertension and hypertension compared to normal body composition in Korean adults aged 20–39. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Jae-Oh Jeon; Jeong Hee-Cheol

doi:10.5762/kais.2026.27.9.842

September 30, 2026Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation SocietyOpen Access

Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Prehypertension in Young Adults: Based on the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2023-2024)

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Key result

Sarcopenic obesity linked to ~5.7-fold higher odds of hypertension and prehypertension.

OR 5.68
95% CI 1.95-16.56
P=0.002
n=2,411

Why the study?

Sarcopenic obesity has emerged as a new risk factor for early cardiovascular disease in young adults, but its independent association with hypertension prevalence was unverified.

Does sarcopenic obesity increase the risk of hypertension and prehypertension in young adults?

Key Points

To assess the independent relationship between sarcopenic obesity and the risk of prehypertension and hypertension among young adults aged 20 to 39 years.
Analyzed nationally representative data from 2,411 young adults aged 20–39 years from the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2023–2024).
Classified participants into four groups crossing skeletal muscle index and body mass index, and conducted age- and sex-adjusted complex-sample multiple logistic regression analyses.
The overall prevalence of hypertension, including prehypertension, among participants aged 20–39 was 25.1%.
Compared to the normal body composition group, the obesity group had a significantly higher risk of hypertension (OR 2.96, 95% CI: 2.31–3.78, p < 0.001).
The sarcopenic obesity group exhibited the highest risk of hypertension compared to the normal group (OR 5.68, 95% CI: 1.95–16.56, p = 0.002).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=2,411)

Structured PICO

Does sarcopenic obesity increase the risk of hypertension and prehypertension in young adults?

P

Population

2,411 Korean young adults aged 20-39 years evaluated for the association between sarcopenic obesity and hypertension prevalence.

E

Exposure

Sarcopenic obesity (classified using cross-application of skeletal muscle index and body mass index)

C

Comparator

Normal group

O

Outcome

Prevalence of hypertension (including prehypertension)surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 5.68 (95% CI 1.95–16.56)

p-value: p=0.002

Sarcopenic obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of hypertension in young adults, highlighting the need for interventions focused on muscle mass maintenance rather than just weight loss.

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Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

May support muscle preservation strategies in obese young adults; leaves open causality and requires prospective validation.

Abstract

최근 청년층에서 근감소성 비만(sarcopenic obesity)이 조기 심혈관 질환의 새로운 위험 요인으로 대두되고 있다. 본 연구는 20-30대를 대상으로 근감소성 비만이 고혈압 유병에 미치는 독립적인 연관성을 검증하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 제9기 국민건강영양조사(KNHANES, 2023-2024년) 원시자료를 활용하여 결측치를 제외한 만 20-39세 성인 2,411명을 분석하였다. 수집된 자료는 IBM SPSS Statistics 30.0 프로그램을 이용하여 골격근지수와 체질량지수를 교차 적용해 대상자를 4개 군으로 분류한 후, 연령과 성별을 보정한 복합표본 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 분석 결과, 전체 대상자의 고혈압(전고혈압 포함) 유병률은 25.1%였으며, 정상군 대비 비만군의 고혈압 유병 위험은 2.96배(95% CI: 2.31-3.78, p < .001), 근감소성 비만군의 고혈압 위험은 5.68배(95% CI: 1.95-16.56, p = .002)로 나타나 근육량 저하와 비만의 동반이 고혈압 유병 위험을 높이는 것으로 관찰되었다. 결론적으로 한국 청년층에서 근육 부족을 동반한 비만은 고혈압 발병의 핵심 위험 인자이며, 20-30대의 만성질환 예방을 위해서는 단순 체중 감량이 아닌 근육량 유지를 포함한 체성분 중심의 통합적 중재 프로그램이 시급하다.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Jeon et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Prehypertension and hypertension (n=2,411). Sarcopenic obesity vs. Normal group was evaluated on Hypertension (including prehypertension) prevalence (OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.95-16.56, p=0.002). Sarcopenic obesity was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension and prehypertension compared to the normal group (OR 5.68; 95% CI 1.95-16.56; p=0.002).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ac74632947fe0d7c5643314 https://doi.org/10.5762/kais.2026.27.9.842

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Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Prehypertension in Young Adults: Based on the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2023-2024)

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Prehypertension in Young Adults: Based on the 9th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2023-2024)

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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