Association between residential proximity to major roadways and low muscle mass among Chinese older adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Low muscle mass (LMM) has high incidence among the older adults, residential environment including air pollution and noise have influence on it, and residential proximity to major roadways (RPMR) is closely related to these factors. Nevertheless, there is no research regarding the association between RPMR and LMM, especially among Chinese older adults.

METHODS

The data was derived from the 2018 waves of China Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in this study. We evaluated the distance of RPMR and whether participants experienced LMM, and we constructed four binary logistic regression to explore their association. We explored which variables are modified effect through interaction analysis, and conducted a sensitivity analysis by using the multiple chain equation interpolation method to interpolate missing values, excluding cognitive impairment and those who have lived in their place of residence for less than a year.

RESULTS

A total of 6,952 older adults were included in the analysis. We found that the closer the RPMR, the higher the odds of LMM, with a significant increase when RPMR was within 200 m. Compared to the reference group (RPMR > 300 m), the ORs were: <50 m: OR = 1.312 (95% CI: 1.051-1.637, P = 0.016), 50-100 m: OR = 1.461 (95% CI: 1.180-1.813, P < 0.001), 101-200 m: OR = 1.226 (95% CI: 1.019-1.475, P = 0.031). The effect was modified by life satisfaction and self-reported health. Sensitivity analyses supported the main findings.

CONCLUSION

The distance of RPMR within 200 m was significantly associated with LMM among Chinese older adults, which makes significant inspiration for future intervention and prevention of LMM from residence perspective.