Glycated Hemoglobin, Lifestyle, and Sarcopenia in Rural Older Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis

Sarcopenia threatens independence in rapidly aging rural populations, yet its metabolic and lifestyle correlates remain under‐characterized in Korea. We analyzed rural residents aged ≥ 65 years from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( n = 398). Sarcopenia was defined using Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria as low appendicular muscle mass plus low handgrip strength. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, past‐year alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORS). Sarcopenia prevalence was 15.1%. Higher odds were observed among participants aged > 76 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–4.59) and those with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% (aOR 3.24, 95% CI 1.42–7.40). Lower odds were observed among those meeting the physical activity guideline, those with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m 2 , and those reporting past‐year alcohol use. These findings support nurse‐led risk stratification in rural primary care using handgrip assessment, simple anthropometrics, HbA1c review, and brief activity counseling.