Identifying Risk Factors for Presarcopenia in Early Middle Age

This study aimed to determine whether risk factors for presarcopenia can be identified in a sample of early middle-aged men and women.

Prospective study.

Longitudinal data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study were used to investigate the relationship between presarcopenia at age 45 years and selected early markers at ages 26, 32, and 38 years.

Longitudinal data from N=899 participants from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study.

Not applicable.

Presarcopenia was defined as low relative appendicular lean mass index assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and low strength assessed by grip strength. Logistic regressions were used to describe the association between selected markers and presarcopenia at age 45 years.

Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a higher body mass index (BMI) at ages 26, 32, and 38 years was associated with lower likelihood of presarcopenia at age 45 years in both men and women (odds ratio [OR] range, 0.46-0.64). Higher age-normative grip strength at age 38 years in both men and women (OR range, 0.88-0.92) was also associated with lower likelihood for presarcopenia. Lastly, lower self-perceived physical fitness level in men at age 38 years was associated with an increased likelihood of presarcopenia at age 45 years (OR, 9.35; 95% confidence interval, 3.28-26.70).

BMI and strength were associated with lower likelihood of presarcopenia during middle age. A higher likelihood of presarcopenia was associated with sex-specific lower self-perceived physical fitness. These modifiable biomarkers may serve as targets for clinical screening and early intervention aimed at slowing or preventing progression to sarcopenia in old age.