Application of a Social-Ecological Model to Study the Factors Associated With Sarcopenia

The social-ecological model (SEM) provides a framework for developing multidimensional preventive strategies at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels. While sarcopenia forms due to multiple factors, the SEM has not yet been applied to the prevention of sarcopenia. We aimed to categorize the factors associated with sarcopenia in each level of the SEM. The electronic databases were searched between 2010 and 2021 to collect factors associated with sarcopenia. Information from guidelines, reference lists, and expert consultation was further hand-searched. The factors mentioned in the reviewed studies were classified into the SEM. In 17 studies, 42 factors associated with sarcopenia were identified; thereafter, 33 biological and individual factors were categorized at the intrapersonal level, isolation was categorized at the interpersonal level, a sedentary lifestyle was at the organizational level, community involvement and social capital were at the community level, as well as knowledge about the disease, disability, income, education, and residential area were categorized at the policy level. The categorization of factors associated with sarcopenia, based on the SEM level, may be useful in the development of preventive strategies; however, further research is required.