Nutritional, physical, and body composition profiles of the Korean sarcopenic population

• Published in: Journal of nutrition and health Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 315 - 331
• Main Authors: Cho, Jung Min, Bae, Jaehoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국영양학회 01.06.2025
• Subjects: 생활과학
• ISSN: 2288-3886; 2288-3959
• DOI: 10.4163/jnh.2025.58.3.315

Purpose: Sarcopenia represents a major health concern in older populations and is characterized by a progressive decline in muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass. This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of sarcopenia among older Korean adults and to characterize its associations with nutritional intake, body composition features, and physical activity using the most recent nationally representative dataset (2022–2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [KNHANES]). Methods: We analyzed the data of 4,126 adults aged ≥ 65 years from the 2022–2023 KNHANES. Sarcopenia was defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019) guidelines using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and handgrip strength. Complex sample weights were applied in all statistical analyses. Results: The overall sarcopenia prevalence was 10.7%, rising to 18.7% among those aged ≥ 75 years. Sarcopenic participants consumed significantly fewer calories (e.g., 1,522 vs. 1,840 kcal in males aged ≥ 75, p < 0.001), protein (55.1 vs. 67.4 g, p < 0.001), and fat (29.3 vs. 38.6 g, p < 0.001). Deficiencies in micronutrients were notable: calcium (424 vs. 536 mg), magnesium (287 vs. 359 mg), and potassium (2,297 vs. 3,000 mg) (p < 0.001). Physical inactivity was also higher, with significantly fewer walking (3.91 vs. 4.68 days/week) and strength training days (0.72 vs. 1.73) among sarcopenic males ≥ 75 years (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Sarcopenia is prevalent among the Korean elderly and associated with a lower intake of key nutrients and reduced physical activity. These findings highlight the need for integrated nutrition and exercise strategies to support healthy aging. KCI Citation Count: 0