Consensus recommendations on age-related sarcopenia in South Asia: A nutrition-focused approach

Age-related sarcopenia, defined as the progressive decline in muscle function, strength, and mass with age, is a growing health concern in South Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka) due to their rapidly aging populations. It tends to appear earlier, is frequently overlooked, and worsens after age 60. Despite its prevalence, standardized tools for screening and assessing sarcopenia and dietary status are lacking. Since diet quality is a modifiable risk factor, nutritional strategies play a key role in prevention and management. However, international dietary guidelines are often unsuitable for South Asians due to regional dietary differences and variations within countries. As sarcopenia onset occurs earlier in this population, there is an urgent need to implement standardized screening, diagnosis, and nutrition assessments during dietetic consultations. To address this gap, a panel of experienced dietitians from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka developed this South Asian consensus to provide evidence-based recommendations for identifying and managing age-related sarcopenia. The panel emphasized the use of locally available, affordable, and nutritionally adequate foods to support practical, region-specific interventions.