The role of fat indices as factors leading to sarcopenia in older adults residing in underpopulated areas

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 70 - 73
• Main Authors: Mizukami, Yasutaka, Onishi, Hidenori, Mifuku, Yuta, Kubota, Masafumi, Ikeda, Ryouko, Hayashi, Hiroyuki, Yamamura, Osamu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan SOCIETY FOR FREE RADICAL RESEARCH JAPAN 01.01.2024; Japan Science and Technology Agency; the Society for Free Radical Research Japan
• Subjects: Adults; Age; aging; body fat; Body height; Body mass index; Body size; Criteria; Diagnostic systems; Grip strength; Older people; Original; Regression analysis; risk factor; Sarcopenia; Skeletal muscle; skeletal muscle index; Statistical analysis; skeletal muscle index; aging; risk factor; body fat; sarcopenia
• ISSN: 0912-0009; 1880-5086
• DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.23-33

Simplifying the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia is key to establishing effective interventions. Herein, we aimed to clarify novel diagnostic factors. We calculated novel fat indices [total fat ‍index (TFI) and limb fat index (LFI)] and clarified factors leading to pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia in 594 enrolled older adults. Physical measurements [height, weight, body mass index (BMI), gait speed, grip strength, and skeletal muscle mass] were ‍performed. Sarcopenia was determined using established diagnostic criteria (pre-sarcopenia, n = 102; sarcopenia, n = 42). Age was associated with sarcopenia status. BMI, TFI, and LFI were lower in patients with pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia. Logistic regression analysis showed the following odds ratios (ORs) for pre-sarcopenia: BMI [OR: 0.787, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7–0.885], LFI (OR: 0.589, 95% CI: 0.402–0.863), and age (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02–1.1). ORs for sarcopenia (vs pre-sarcopenia) were as follows: LFI (OR: 50.6, 95% CI: 10.2–250.0), age (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2), and BMI (OR: 0.418, 95% CI: 0.28–0.608). Our findings contribute to informing medical guidelines.