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This research examines the relationship between HOMA-IR values, sarcopenia, and obesity.

February 26, 2026Open Access

HOMA-IR Values in Overweight and Obesity Subjects With and Without Sarcopenia

Key Points

This research examines the relationship between HOMA-IR values, sarcopenia, and obesity.
Observational cross-sectional study in Makassar
Included 100 overweight/obese subjects
Sarcopenia diagnosed by the AWGS 2019 criteria
Insulin resistance assessed using HOMA-IR
Data analyzed with Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests
Mean BMI was 28.61 kg/m² and mean HOMA-IR was 2.73
Sarcopenia present in 73% of subjects
Highest HOMA-IR prevalence in sarcopenic obese (36%)
No significant association found between sarcopenia and insulin resistance
Negative correlation between HOMA-IR and muscle mass and strength

Abstract

Introduction Obesity and overweight, a state of subclinical inflammation, and sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, are interrelated conditions. Insulin resistance is a key metabolic dysfunction linking both. This study aimed to compare Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values among overweight/obese subjects with and without sarcopenia. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2025 Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital and Hasanuddin University Hospital, Makassar. A total of 100 overweight/obese adult subjects (BMI ≥23 kg/m 2 for Asian criteria) were included via consecutive sampling. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria. Insulin resistance was assessed using HOMA-IR, with a cut-off of >2.6 (Tertile 3). Data analysis used descriptive statistics and Chi-square test and Spearman Correlation test. Results The mean BMI was 28.61 ± 5.24 kg/m 2 , and the mean HOMA-IR was 2.73 ± 2.1. Sarcopenia was present in 73% of subjects. The prevalence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >2.6) was descriptively highest in the sarcopenic obese group (36.0%), followed by the sarcopenic overweight group (30.4%), and the non-sarcopenic obese group (29.2%), with 0% in the non-sarcopenic overweight reference group. However, statistical analysis showed no significant association between the combination of sarcopenia and overweight/obesity categories with insulin resistance (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). A significant negative correlation was found between HOMA-IR and both Hand Grip Strenght (ρ = -0.225, p=0.020) and BIA-measured muscle mass (ρ = -0.222, p=0.020). Gait speed showed no significant correlation with HOMA-IR (ρ = -0.119, p=0.238). Conclusions Although no independent association was observed between sarcopenic obesity and insulin resistance after unadjusted analysis, higher HOMA-IR levels were consistently associated with reduced muscle mass and strength, suggesting early metabolic–musculoskeletal interaction in overweight individuals.

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