The North Carolina Serious Illness Coalition (NC SIC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving care for individuals with severe, advanced, or chronic illnesses. They advocate for public policy changes, work to build coalitions, and educate healthcare providers to enhance care coordination and the integration of symptom relief for these patients (Kent et al., 2023).

Sarcopenic obesity is a crucial concern for the NC SIC when it comes to caring for the seriously ill. This condition, characterized by the loss of muscle mass paired with higher body fat, disproportionately impacts the elderly and chronically ill population that the Coalition serves. According to recent studies, over 30% of elderly nursing home residents suffer from sarcopenic obesity (Bouchonville & Villareal, 2013). The related loss of mobility and strength contributes to adverse outcomes in the seriously ill, including social isolation, depression, lower quality of life, higher healthcare costs due to falls and injuries, and increased mortality risk.