Korean J Obes.  2014 Mar;23(1):23-31.

The Risk Factors of Sarcopenia among Korean Elderly Men: Based on 2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

• Lee SK
• Lee JA
• Kim JY
• Kim YZ
• Park HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass, is an important health problem that is increasing with age. However, little is known about the risk factors of sarcopenia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for sarcopenia in elderly Korean men using data from the 2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
METHODS
We used KNHANES data including 691 men above the age of 60. In this study, sarcopenia was defined as aLM (appendicular lean mass) / height2 +/- 2SD or more below the normal mean for young. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the factors associated with sarcopenia including age, marital status, income, cigarette smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and caloric intake.
RESULTS
In our study population, 11.6% of the men had sarcopenia. The mean aLM/height2 in men was 6.1 kg/m2 in subjects with sarcopenia and 7.8 kg/m2 in subjects without sarcopenia, respectively. Subjects with sarcopenia tended to be older with lower BMI, and lower energy intake. Also, lower educational level and divorced/widowed status were factors associated with sarcopenia. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, old age, low BMI, and low caloric intake were associated with sarcopenia.
CONCLUSION
Older age, lower BMI, and lower daily calorie intake were the risk factors for sarcopenia among Korean men over the age of 60. Therefore, an appropriate amount of calorie intake and maintenance of a normal BMI is suggested to be essential in preventing sarcopenia.

Keyword

Sarcopenia; Elderly; Body mass index; Energy intake

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Body Mass Index
Energy Intake
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Marital Status
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys*
Risk Factors*
Sarcopenia*
Smoking