Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sarcopenia in Korean Older Adults

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia for the disease in the Korean older adults, and to provide basic data for preventing the occurrence of sarcopenia through its management. Based on the data from 2008-2011 of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, 3,485 subjects aged 65 or older who participated in tests for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and health surveys were selected as subjects. Risk factors for the occurrence of sarcopenia were analyzed using complex sample multi-logistic regression analysis. As a results, the incidence of sarcopenia in Korea was 39.3%, and 41.4% for men and 37.8% for women. The higher the age, the higher the blood glucose level, the higher the risk of developing sarcopenia in the case of underweight based on waist circumference and body mass index. Therefore, in order to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia, interventions and lifestyle improvements are required for subjects with these risk factors to prevent the onset of the disease.