PP381 - GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE STRENGTH & ADIPOSITY AS INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE SARCOPENIA IN INDIAN POPULATION

PP381

GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE STRENGTH & ADIPOSITY AS INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE SARCOPENIA IN INDIAN POPULATION

B. Samant^1,*, F. A. Sampat², N. Sanwalka^3,4

¹Clinical Nutrition Therapy, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, ²Clinical Nutrition Therapy, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, ³Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, ⁴ Department of Nutrition and Biostatistics, NutriCanvas, Mumbai, India

Rationale: Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. Possible sarcopenia-marked by low muscle strength and physical performance-acts as an early indicator. Its prevalence varies due to differences in populations, diagnostic methods, and lifestyle, and it can affect all ages and BMI groups. This study assesses the risk of possible sarcopenia across age and gender using SARC-F, BMI, and hand grip strength (HGS).

Methods: The study included 996 adults (543 males; mean age 34.2±7.7 years). BMI was calculated from height and weight, and body composition was assessed using a Bodecoder-CHL818-E analyzer. ASMI was estimated using a validated predictive formula. Handgrip strength was measured with a Camry-EH101 dynamometer, and sarcopenia risk was screened using SARC-F. 

Results: Females showed higher total bodyfat % and SARC-F scores while males had higher ASMI (9.9±0.8 vs 7.3±0.6kg/m²,p=0.001) and HGS (31.6±12.5 vs. 18.7±7.3kg,p=0.001). High sarcopenia risk (SARC-F ≥4) was present in 4.5% participants where females demonstrated higher prevalence (8.4%) than males (1.3%,p=0.001). ASMI positively correlated with BMI (r=0.558,p=0.001), VFI (r=0.559,p=0.001), HGS (r=0.472,p=0.001), which indicated individuals with higher fat and body mass have higher calculated muscle-mass. HGS correlated negatively with FMI (r=–0.144,p=0.001) and positively with weight (r=0.306, p=0.001). SARC-F scores correlated positively with fat-to-muscle ratio (ρ=0.167, p=0.001). The prevalence of possible sarcopenia was 41.2%, higher in females (52.1%) than males (32%,p=0.001).

Conclusion: Females showed higher sarcopenia risk due to lower handgrip strength despite similar or higher adiposity. ASMI strongly correlated with BMI. The high prevalence highlights the need for HGS screening- even in normal or high BMI individuals -before significant muscle loss occurs.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared