PD121 - EVALUATION OF MUSCULARITY IN YOUNG ADULTS: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY WITH BIOIMPEDANCE

PD121

EVALUATION OF MUSCULARITY IN YOUNG ADULTS: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY WITH BIOIMPEDANCE

G. Yacoub^1,*, D. O. Toledo¹, F. A. Ribeiro¹, A. C. D. Moreno¹, L. H. D. Brarrachi¹, J. M. S. Junior^1,2

¹Clinical Nutrition, Einstein Israeli Hospital , ²Clinical Nutrition, University of São Paulo , São Paulo, Brazil

Rationale: To determine the prevalence of low muscularity in young adults (18–40 years) and evaluate its association with demographic factors and body composition parameters.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a Brazilian community. Low muscularity was defined according to the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), with cut-off values of <7.0 kg/m² for men and <6.0 kg/m² for women, assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Results: The study included 251 young adults (85 men and 166 women), with a median age of 23 years. Low muscularity was prevalent in 45.8% of participants, with a significantly higher rate in women (68.7%) compared to men (1.2%) for SMI < 7.0 kg/m² (p < 0.001). Men exhibited significantly higher fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.001), whereas women had a higher body fat percentage (p < 0.001). Eutrophic individuals had the highest prevalence of low muscularity (74.8%). Individuals classified with low muscularity had a median weight of 59.2 kg (P25: 53.9; P75: 65.8) and a median fat-free mass of 40.9 kg (P25: 38.6; P75: 44.0), both lower compared to those without low muscularity (p < 0.001). Total body water was lower in the low muscularity group (29.9 L; P25: 28.2; P75: 32.2) compared to those with adequate muscle mass (40.1 L; P25: 35.8; P75: 45.7) (p < 0.001). Basal metabolic rate was lower in the low muscularity group (1252 kcal; P25: 1204.5; P75: 1320) compared to those with adequate muscle mass (1550.5 kcal; P25: 1427.5; P75: 1713.5) (p < 0.001)

Conclusion: Low muscularity at an early age appears to be highly prevalent among young adults, particularly among women and individuals with normal body mass index, emphasizing that reduced muscle mass may occur even in apparently healthy populations. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and targeted preventive strategies aimed at preserving skeletal muscle mass.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared