Older adults with obesity often experience a gradual loss of muscle mass and muscle strength, a condition sometimes described as sarcopenic obesity. This combination increases the risk of falls, disability, functional decline, and metabolic complications. Low levels of vitamin D are common in older adults and may contribute to reduced muscle function and poorer physical performance. This study is designed to evaluate whether taking 10,000 International Units (IU) per day of vitamin D3 for 12 weeks can improve muscle strength and muscle mass in older adults with obesity living in southern Mexico. The study will also examine whether vitamin D3 supplementation influences body composition, physical performance, and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Participants will complete assessments at the beginning and at the end of the 12-week period. These assessments include measurements of muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, and indicators of physical performance such as the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Additional measures of body composition and anthropometry, such as body mass index, waist circumference, and related indices, will also be recorded. Blood samples will be analyzed to determine vitamin D status. All participants will receive daily oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) throughout the 12-week intervention. The goal of the study is to understand whether improving vitamin D status can have a positive effect on muscle health and physical function in older adults with obesity. The results from this research may help guide future strategies to prevent or reduce functional decline related to low muscle mass in older adults with obesity, particularly in rural regions of Mexico where vitamin D deficiency is common.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Handgrip strehgth (kg)
Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks
Skeletal muscle mass
Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks