GDF-15 was related with chair stand time (Pearson r = 0.285, P = 0.006; and multiple regression β = 0.309, P = 0.013).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Among pre-frail and frail older adult women, obesity-with or without low lean mass-was associated with adverse metabolic/inflammatory profiles (higher resistin, GDF-15, insulin; lower IGFBP-3) in full and frail-only analyses, alongside a trend toward slower chair-stand performance. This evidence concerns the gene GDF15 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.