Apr 21, 2014 06:54 PM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Obesity may amplify the deterioration of bone density and muscle mass, according to a recent study.

Researchers from Florida State University and the University of Sydney have identified new syndrome called "osteosarcopenic obesity" that links the loss of bone density and muscle mass with obesity.

"It used to be the thinking that the heavier you were the better your bones would be because the bones were supporting more weight," Jasminka Ilich-Ernst, the Hazel Stiebeling Professor of Nutrition at Florida State, said in a statement. "But, that's only true to a certain extent."

The syndrome explains how many obese individuals experience a triad of problems that place them at a higher risk for falling and breaking bones, researchers said.

For the study, researchers examined the files for 200 women who'd participated in previous studies where she'd measured their bone density, muscle mass and fat tissue for different reasons. About one-third had more than 30 percent fat tissue, plus declining bone density (osteopenia) and muscle mass (sarcopenia).

"This would be a triad problem for older women," Ilich-Ernst said. "They cannot perform as well. They cannot walk as fast. They cannot walk the stairs well or stand up and sit down multiple times without being winded or in pain."

Researchers said that although People do tend to gain weight and lose both muscle mass and bone density with age, substantial gain in body fat can make the muscle and bone problems even worse.

"They have a higher risk of falling and breaking a bone or encountering other disabilities," she said.

The problem is most prevalent with older women, but that it could impact people of all ages and genders.

Ilich-Ernst said the findings could remind people to consider the damage that can be done to all parts of the body if they are overweight.

"Everything is connected," she said.

The findings were recently published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews

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