Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Sarcopenia: a cross‑sectional study of 1059 participants in China

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and strength, has been associated with increased hospitalization and mortality. Due to different diagnostic criteria and target populations, the prevalence of sarcopenia varies greatly. Dietary pattern analysis is a whole diet approach used to investigate the relationship between diet and sarcopenia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and explore possible factors associated with it among a large population in Beijing, China. Methods: : A cross-sectional study with 1059 participants aged more than 50 years was performed. Sarcopenia was defined based on the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The total score of the MNA-SF questionnaire was used to analyse nutrition status. The baseline demographic information , diet structure and eating habits were collected by clinicians trained in questionnaire data collection and anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements. Results: : The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.8% and increased with age: 5%, 5.8%, 10.3% and 26.2% in the 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years groups, respectively. Marital status (with or withouta spouse) was not an independent factor associated with sarcopenia orincome status. However, nutritional risk or malnutrition, vegetable diet, advanced age and spicy eating habits were risk factors for sarcopenia. Meanwhile, daily fruit, dairy and nut consumption were protective factors against sarcopenia. Conclusions: : Although further studies are required to explorethe association between healthy dietary patterns and the risk of sarcopenia, the present study would help to provide basic data for establishing dietary guidelines for the prevention of sarcopenia in Chinese elderly individuals.