[Prevalence of sarcopenia and influencing factors in middle-aged and older adults in Zhejiang Province].

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and potential influencing factors in middle-aged and elderly populations in Zhejiang Province.

Methods

Data were obtained from Zhejiang Provincial Household Economic Status Survey, a cross-sectional survey was condcuted in middle-aged and olde adults selected through multi-stage sampling in three cities in Zhejiang (Huzhou, Jiaxing and Shaoxing) in July 2023. A total of 3 019 study participants, average age 62.3 years old, 53.5% men, were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sarcopenia screening was conducted by using the questionnaire with five sarcopenia related-items. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with sarcopenia.

Results

The prevalence of sarcopenia in the middle-aged and old study participants was 4.47%. Significant differences were observed between the participants with or without sarcopenia in terms of age, educational level, BMI, alcohol consumption status, diet habit, physical activity level, sleep quality, number of chronic diseases, childhood socioeconomic status, adulthood community socioeconomic status, muscle strength, walking assistance, ability to stand from seat, ability to climb stairs, and fall frequency (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that old age (≥75 years: OR=2.82, 95%CI: 1.60-4.97), low body weight (OR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.06-3.62), unhealthy diet habit (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.01-2.46), physical inactivity (OR=5.80, 95%CI: 3.09-10.88), poor or very poor sleep quality (OR=1.65, 95%CI:1.23-2.41), number of chronic diseases (1 chronic disease: OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.08-3.14; 2 chronic diseases: OR=3.22, 95%CI: 1.81-5.71; 3 or more chronic diseases: OR=3.74, 95%CI: 2.11-6.65), poor childhood socioeconomic status (OR=2.98, 95%CI: 1.23-7.20), and poor adulthood community socioeconomic status (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 1.63-9.17) were significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Conclusions The prevalence of sarcopenia was relatively low in middle-aged and old population in Zhejiang. Age, BMI, unhealthy diet, physical activity level, sleep quality, number of chronic diseases, childhood socioeconomic status, and adulthood community socioeconomic status were identified as significant influencing factors.