Social frailty and appetite status and their associations with physical, nutritional, and lifestyle factors in community-dwelling older women attending a day-care service

[Purpose] We aimed to determine the relationships between social frailty, physical function, nutritional status, and appetite among community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] Women aged ≥65 years (n=45) who attended a day-care service in City A, Tokushima Prefecture, between August and September 2024, were included. Data concerning baseline characteristics, body composition analyzer, physical function (grip strength, walking speed), nutritional status, and appetite were collected. Social frailty was classified into robust, pre-frail, and frail groups using Yamada’s questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and a Kruskal–Wallis test. [Results] The participants comprised 5 robust, 15 pre-frail, and 25 frail women. Significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of muscle mass, number of cohabitants, phase angle, and number of medications. Those with poor appetite had a significantly lower skeletal muscle mass index, and appetite loss was more frequent among those living with cohabitants. [Conclusion] Social frailty was associated with reduced muscle mass and fewer cohabitants. Individuals living alone tended to report better appetite status; however, they also exhibited a lower skeletal muscle mass index. These associations should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample and study design.