[Prevalence of Sarcopenia in the Republic of Korea]

The prevalence of low handgrip strength and sarcopenia in people aged ≥65, in the Republic of Korea, was investigated using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). This study included participants in the 2022 KNHANES aged ≥65 years who had handgrip strength and muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 guidelines. In 2022, prevalence of low handgrip strength among those aged ≥65 was 14.2% for men and 18.8% for women, and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.6% for men and 9.2% for women. In this study, the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in older age, women than in men, and low-income groups. In conclusion, older people and those with in low-income groups are vulnerable to sarcopenia; therefore, it is necessary to focus on early identification of sarcopenia and development of prevention and management intervention programs for these people.