Sarcopenia, Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity in European Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The LifeAge Study

Abstract

The revised European consensus defined sarcopenia as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and analyse the influence of diet, physical activity (PA) and obesity index as risk factors of each criteria of sarcopenia. A total of 629 European middle-aged and older adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were assessed. Self-reported PA and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were evaluated with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet questionnaire (PREDIMED), respectively. The functional assessment included handgrip strength, lower body muscle strength, gait speed and agility/dynamic balance. Of the participants, 4.84% to 7.33% showed probable sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 1.16% to 2.93% of participants. Severe sarcopenia was shown by 0.86% to 1.49% of participants. Male; age group ≤65 years; lower body mass index (BMI); high levels of vigorous PA; and the consumption of more than one portion per day of red meat, hamburgers, sausages or cold cuts and/or preferential consumption of rabbit, chicken or turkey instead of beef, pork, hamburgers or sausages (OR = 0.126–0.454; all p < 0.013) resulted as protective factors, and more time of sedentary time (OR = 1.608–2.368; p = 0.032–0.041) resulted as a risk factor for some criteria of sarcopenia. In conclusion, age, diet, PA, and obesity can affect the risk of having low muscle strength, low muscle mass or low functional performance, factors connected with sarcopenia.

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults

“…Skeletal muscle is the main component of lean body mass (LBM), and beyond locomotion, muscle has several health‐related roles 1 . Reduced skeletal muscle mass and function in adults have been linked to chronic diseases, poor quality of life, sarcopenia, physical disability, increased risk of fractures, and risk for frailty 2–8 . Protein ingestion and resistance exercise (RE) are the main non‐pharmacologic factors driving anabolic signals to increase or maintain skeletal muscle mass 9 .…”

“… 1 Reduced skeletal muscle mass and function in adults have been linked to chronic diseases, poor quality of life, sarcopenia, physical disability, increased risk of fractures, and risk for frailty. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Protein ingestion and resistance exercise (RE) are the main non‐pharmacologic factors driving anabolic signals to increase or maintain skeletal muscle mass. 9 Nonetheless, many questions still arise when constructing dietary or physical activity guidelines focusing on skeletal muscle health.…”

Relationship Between Dietary Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Level and Sarcopenia. A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…With the increase in life expectancy, sarcopenia has become a serious health issue in the elderly. Generally speaking, the pathology of sarcopenia is related to aging, body composition, exercise, and inflammation status (3)(4)(5). In addition, the dietary factors have also entered the researchers' field of vision (6).…”

Dietary Intake of Vitamin E and Fats Associated with Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese People: A Cross-Sectional Study from the Fifth Survey of the ROAD Study

“…Sarcopenia is characterized by an age-related decrease in skeletal muscle mass and the loss of strength and/or physical function [1], and has become a worldwide social issue because sarcopenia induces a high risk of frailty, mobility limitation, and mortality in older populations [2]. The factors associated with sarcopenia are various and complicated, such as aging, body composition, diet, exercise habits, and inflammation status [1,[3][4][5][6]. In addition to understanding its pathophysiology, many studies have focused on strategies for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.…”