Muscle mass as a potential predictor for metabolic syndrome in normal weight adults (628.20)

Abstract

The prevalence of abnormal metabolic conditions in normal weight subjects has been recognized, but the cause is unknown. However it has been proposed that a decrease in relative muscle mass may be a contributing factor. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between appendicular lean mass (ALM) index (kg/m2) and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in normal weight adults using data from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey years 1999‐2006 (n = 1826). Chi‐square analysis and odds ratios were used to establish significant differences in prevalence and likelihood of MetS risk factors. The prevalence of MetS, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia were significantly higher in both sarcopenic (lowest tertile ALM index) males and females; however, this relationship was not as strong when the population was stratified into age groups. Increased risk for hypertension was significant in sarcopenic males in the 60+ age category (P = 0.0076) and for hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.0240) and MetS (P = 0.0026) in sarcopenic females in the 40‐59 age category. Increased prevalence for MetS and its risk factor components were consistently observed with age‐related reductions in relative muscle mass. These results suggest the importance of recognizing decreased relative muscle mass as a risk factor for MetS in normal weight middle‐aged and older adults.