Impact of social engagement on the development of sarcopenia among community‐dwelling older adults: A Kashiwa cohort study

Abstract

How older adults develop sarcopenia in the community setting is unclear. Focusing on social engagement, we aimed to validate our hypothesized model of sarcopenia development with various contributing factors, such as physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status. We also clarified direct and indirect effects of social engagement, physical activity, nutritional status, oral function and psychological status on new-onset sarcopenia.Methods: We analyzed 1483 participants' (72.6 AE 5.4 years) longitudinal data from the Kashiwa study. Sarcopenia was assessed in all the surveys in the Kashiwa study. Measures regarding social engagement, physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status were assessed at baseline. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the efficiency of the hypothesized model, and calculate direct and indirect effects of factors affecting new-onset sarcopenia.Results: Over the follow-up period (median 6 years [interquartile range 4-6 years]), 12% of individuals developed new-onset sarcopenia. Our structural hypothesis model starting from social engagement to new-onset sarcopenia was suitable (root mean square error of approximation = 0.031, goodness-of-fit index = 0.967, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.954, comparative fix index = 0.911, parsimonious comparative fit index = 0.755; all paths were significant), showing direct effects of social engagement on psychological status, physical activity and oral function, and indirect effects on nutritional status through oral function and psychological status. Conclusions:The present results showed that social engagement could potentially decrease new-onset sarcopenia risks by influencing multidimensional factors, such as physical activity, oral function, and psychological and nutritional status. To prevent sarcopenia, it might be essential to promote social engagement through populational approaches. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 384-391.

Loss of perceived social role, an index of social frailty, is an independent predictor of future adverse events in hospitalized patients with heart failure

“…Previous research has shown that SF status, including low social activity, low social role, and poor social relationships, causes the onset and progression of physical frailty ( 16 ), poor physical performance ( 31 ), and malnutrition ( 32 ), resulting in disabilities ( 14 , 33 , 34 ), and mortality ( 32 , 33 ) in community-dwelling older adults. Close relationships between SF and physical frailty, physical performance, dietary condition, and cognitive function can all exacerbate poor health state and lead to unfavorable consequences.…”

Predictive validity of the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old‐Old for functional disability: Using the National Health Insurance Database System

“…In previous studies, the Kihon Checklist, which formed the basis of the QMCOO, was reported to be associated with frailty, long‐term care certification and death, being particularly important to this study's results 14–16 . Furthermore, social engagement increases the risk of new certification of long‐term care needs, and decreased social engagement affects various factors and increases the risk of new‐onset sarcopenia 17–19 . Additionally, a decline in oral function, so‐called “oral frailty,” predicts frailty and a new need for long‐term care 20 .…”

“…[14][15][16] Furthermore, social engagement increases the risk of new certification of long-term care needs, and decreased social engagement affects various factors and increases the risk of new-onset sarcopenia. [17][18][19] Additionally, a decline in oral function, so-called "oral frailty," predicts frailty and a new need for long-term care. 20 Furthermore, weight loss and low activity are two important phenotypes of frailty, and smoking and dietary intake also have a potentially negative impact on frailty.…”

Waist-to-calf circumstance ratio and cognitive function among Chinese older adults: Mediating roles of physical performance and social activity

“…Moreover, individuals with SO are at greater risk of metabolic disorders and reduced physical performance, such as walking speed, than those with sarcopenia or obesity alone (Sun et al, 2021 ; Tan et al, 2022 ). It was proposed that individuals with SO tended to suffer from impairment of living functions and lower physical capabilities during aging (Hayes and Preacher, 2014 ; Jia et al, 2020 ; Tanaka et al, 2022 ). As a result of lower physical performance, older adults experience difficulties communicating with others and engaging in daily activities (Tolea et al, 2018 ; Tanaka et al, 2022 ).…”

“…It was proposed that individuals with SO tended to suffer from impairment of living functions and lower physical capabilities during aging (Hayes and Preacher, 2014 ; Jia et al, 2020 ; Tanaka et al, 2022 ). As a result of lower physical performance, older adults experience difficulties communicating with others and engaging in daily activities (Tolea et al, 2018 ; Tanaka et al, 2022 ). Following the social support theoretical model (Wang H. et al, 2019 ), this finding suggests that appropriate late-life social activity may buffer the adverse effects of SO on older adults' cognitive function.…”