The Usefulness of Anthropometric Measurements and Indicators in Assessing Muscle Mass in Older Adults

Background/Objectives: Aging is linked to a loss of muscle mass and strength, which increases the risk of falls, disability, and lower quality of life. Identifying individuals at risk of sarcopenia, cachexia, or malnutrition is important. In settings with limited access to advanced diagnostics, simple anthropometric measurements can serve as practical alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate simple, quick, and non-invasive anthropometric measurements as indicators of muscle mass in older adults, based on body composition analysis (BIA). Methods: The study included 361 patients admitted to a geriatric ward. Standardized protocols were used to measure anthropometric and body composition parameters, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Various body composition indices were calculated, such as body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI). Results: Strong positive correlations were found between body mass and muscle mass in both women and men. Among anthropometric measures, calf circumference showed the strongest correlation with muscle mass (R = 0.798 in women; R = 0.744 in men, p < 0.001). Other indices, including BMI (R = 0.733 in women; R = 0.606 in men, p < 0.001), FFMI (R = 0.697 in women; R = 0.721 in men, p < 0.001), and FMI (R = 0.600 in women; R = 0.354 in men, p < 0.001), were also positively correlated with muscle mass. Conclusions: Calf circumference is a simple, quick, and non-invasive measure that can effectively estimate muscle mass in older adults. Although other anthropometric parameters, such as body mass, BMI, FMI, and FFMI, also showed positive correlations with muscle mass, calf circumference appears to be the most practical, as it requires minimal equipment, little time, and limited preparation. This makes it particularly useful for routine assessments in primary care and long-term care settings, where access to advanced diagnostic tools like BIA or DXA is limited. These findings support the use of simple anthropometric measurements as cost-effective and easily accessible alternatives for estimating muscle mass in older adults. Further research is needed to determine appropriate cut-off points for specific populations and sexes.