Association between triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and sarcopenia in the older adults from China: A cross-sectional study

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Each 1-unit increase in log-transformed TCBI was associated with a 66% lower prevalence of sarcopenia (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.28-0.41, p<0.001) among older Chinese adults.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Sarcopenia in older adults (n=5293). Intervention: Triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI, log-transformed) vs. Lower LgTCBI (continuous per 1-unit increase, or Q1 [5.19-6.62] as reference). Primary outcome: Prevalence of sarcopenia defined by AWGS 2019 criteria (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.28-0.41, p=<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the relationship between the triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and the presence of sarcopenia among older individuals in China.

Yanmei Ning; Doudou Li; Ting Zhang; Jiana Shi; Ying Hu

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0342265

February 4, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

Association between triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and sarcopenia in the older adults from China: A cross-sectional study

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Key result

Higher TCBI is linked to ~66% lower prevalence of sarcopenia per 1-unit increase.

OR 0.34
95% CI 0.28-0.41
P<0.001
n=5,293

Why the study?

Is a higher triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI) associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia in older Chinese adults?

Key Points

To examine the relationship between the triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and the presence of sarcopenia among older individuals in China.
Cross-sectional analysis of 5293 participants aged 60 and older from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
Diagnosed sarcopenia according to AWGS 2019 criteria and calculated the triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI) as (TG × TC × BW)/1000.
Employed multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling, and threshold effect analyses adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and biochemical covariates.
In the fully adjusted model, each 1-unit increase in log-transformed TCBI was linked to a 66% decrease in sarcopenia prevalence (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.28–0.41; p < 0.001).
Restricted cubic spline analysis showed an L-shaped nonlinear association with an inflection point at a TCBI value of 7.05 (p for likelihood ratio test < 0.001).
Below the 7.05 threshold, each unit increase in TCBI corresponded to an 81% reduction in sarcopenia risk (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.13–0.27, p < 0.001), compared to a 41% reduction above it (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38–0.91, p = 0.016).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=5,293)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Is a higher triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI) associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia in older Chinese adults?

P

Population

5,293 Chinese adults aged >=45 years (mean age 67.5 years, 49.1% female) from wave 3 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) evaluated cross-sectionally for sarcopenia.

E

Exposure

Triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI), calculated as [TG (mg/dl) × TC (mg/dl) × body weight (kg)] / 1000, evaluated as a log-transformed continuous variable (LgTCBI) and across quartiles (Q1: 5.19–6.62, Q2: 6.62–7.06, Q3: 7.06–7.54, Q4: 7.54–9.52).

C

Comparator

Lower TCBI levels (reference quartile Q1: 5.19–6.62, or per 1-unit lower LgTCBI in multivariable logistic regression).

O

Outcome

Prevalence of sarcopenia assessed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria (low appendicular skeletal muscle mass [<5.27 kg/m² for females, <7.01 kg/m² for males] coupled with low handgrip strength [<28 kg for males, <18 kg for females] or low physical performance [gait speed <1.0 m/s or five-time chair stand test ≥12 seconds]).hard clinical

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 0.34 (95% CI 0.28–0.41)

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Cross-sectional design precludes establishing a causal relationship between TCBI and sarcopenia
Fixed-timepoint data and self-reported variables from CHARLS may introduce recall bias and miss long-term changes
Sample restricted to Chinese participants, limiting generalizability to other populations
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was estimated using an anthropometric prediction equation rather than DXA or BIA
Gait speed was assessed over a 2.5-meter walk rather than the 6-meter walk recommended by AWGS 2019
Data collected at fixed time points and reliant on self-reported covariates, potentially introducing recall bias
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causality between TCBI and sarcopenia
Study population consisted solely of Chinese participants, limiting generalizability
Muscle mass was estimated using an anthropometric equation rather than DXA or BIA
Gait speed was measured with a 2.5-m walk instead of the 6-m walk recommended by AWGS 2019

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Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

TCBI, a simple index combining triglycerides, total cholesterol, and body weight, shows a strong L-shaped inverse association with sarcopenia in older Chinese adults and may serve as a practical screening tool for nutritional risk and sarcopenia.

Abstract

Background The triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI) is a simple and reliable indicator of nutritional status. This investigation aimed to explore the association between TCBI and sarcopenia among older individuals in China. Methods The AWGS 2019 criteria were utilized to evaluate sarcopenia. TCBI was calculated as (TG × TC × BW)/1000. Logistic regression analysis explored the independent connection between TCBI and the occurrence of sarcopenia. RCS was employed to investigate both linear and nonlinear correlations, and threshold effects were scrutinized. Furthermore, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results This study included 5293 participants. The TCBI was found to be negatively associated with sarcopenia in a fully corrected model, with a 66% decrease in the prevalence of sarcopenia for each 1-unit increase in LgTCBI (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.28–0.41; p < 0.001). The study showed that this association was further highlighted in those with normal BMI and remains consistent in sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, we found a nonlinear association between both TCBI and sarcopenia, with an inflection point of 7.05 by the RCS curve and threshold effect analysis. Conclusion This study revealed a nonlinear negative correlation between TCBI and sarcopenia, highlighting the implications of these findings for the early screening and timely intervention of sarcopenia.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Ning et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Sarcopenia in older adults (n=5,293). Triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI, log-transformed) vs. Lower LgTCBI (continuous per 1-unit increase, or Q1 [5.19-6.62] as reference) was evaluated on Prevalence of sarcopenia defined by AWGS 2019 criteria (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.28-0.41, p=<0.001). Each 1-unit increase in log-transformed TCBI was associated with a 66% lower prevalence of sarcopenia (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.28-0.41, p<0.001) among older Chinese adults.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698585438f7c464f230088a1 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0342265

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Association between triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and sarcopenia in the older adults from China: A cross-sectional study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Association between triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index and sarcopenia in the older adults from China: A cross-sectional study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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