Life-Course Adversity, Adult Socioeconomic Position, and Possible Sarcopenia Among Older Adults in Postwar Vietnam

ObjectivesThis study examines how early-life hardship, wartime exposure, military service, and adult socioeconomic position are associated with grip strength-based possible sarcopenia among older adults in postwar Vietnam.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Wave 1 Vietnam Health and Aging Study among 2,166 adults aged 59 and older. Possible sarcopenia was defined using Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 grip-strength thresholds; survey-adjusted logistic regression models were used.ResultsPossible sarcopenia prevalence was 46.86%. Childhood hunger and poor childhood health showed limited associations; wartime stress exposure and military service were not significant in fully adjusted models. Lower odds were associated with higher household assets (OR = 0.91), secondary education or higher (OR = 0.56), professional occupations (OR = 0.60), and other non-agricultural occupations (OR = 0.70).ConclusionsPossible sarcopenia in Vietnam reflects not only age-related muscle decline but also the social patterning of later-life vulnerability through adult socioeconomic resources.